My comparison between 5 engine noises, 3 V8 and 2 V12!
Discussion
Hello,
At a time when the internal combustion engine is going through an existential crisis, and only a small fraction of the population still values it—mostly for its sound compared to electric vehicles—I thought I’d write an article on the topic, as I have the privilege of owning cars with interesting powertrains. I hope you’ll find it inspiring.
Here are my preferences, ranked from least to most enjoyable:
- Mercedes S550 V8 biturbo: Discreet, which is its purpose. Certainly better than a 4- or 6-cylinder, but otherwise without any particularly distinctive sound character—except at startup.
- Range Rover Sport 5.2L supercharged V8: Pleasant at low revs with the window down, but quite ugly at high RPMs. It sounds like a rough, unrefined American V8 (which it isn't), with absolutely no refinement.
- Lamborghini Aventador 6.5L naturally aspirated V12: I always drive it with the roof off and windows down. There's also a small rear window separating the cabin from the engine, which I lower as well. So loud at startup that I have to wear hearing protection inside the car. At low RPMs, mechanical transmission noises dominate—you feel like you're part of a giant gearbox. The engine tone is fairly uniform regardless of RPM (it just gets louder), but the most interesting part is during deceleration, when you hear either an impressive growl like a tiger or explosive bangs in the exhaust (in sport mode).
- Ferrari 360 Modena 3.6L naturally aspirated: I always drive with the windows down. It’s a relatively small engine that climbs quickly in RPMs, with a tone that changes significantly depending on engine speed—especially above 6000 RPM where it takes on a very metallic note reminiscent (somewhat) of Formula 1. This also happens during downshifts. In fact, it's the most "race car"-like engine I have. It really urges you to drive fast. I specifically chose the F1 gearbox so I could vary the revs effortlessly and make the most of its sonic richness.
- Aston Martin DB9 GT 6.0L naturally aspirated: Best appreciated with the windows down, otherwise you lose the high-pitched notes. Ideally, with a rock wall on the left (as always!). It’s impressive first and foremost by its volume (I’ve actually been stopped by the police…), and it clearly comes from a more lenient era regarding noise regulations. It’s the engine I know with the richest sound palette. In normal mode with windows closed, it’s almost like an S-Class cruiser—though much louder (road noise dominates). Sport mode makes a big difference: there’s a wide range of tones across the rev band, and near the redline it unleashes a furious, metallic, hyper-aggressive scream—truly F1-like!
At a time when the internal combustion engine is going through an existential crisis, and only a small fraction of the population still values it—mostly for its sound compared to electric vehicles—I thought I’d write an article on the topic, as I have the privilege of owning cars with interesting powertrains. I hope you’ll find it inspiring.
Here are my preferences, ranked from least to most enjoyable:
- Mercedes S550 V8 biturbo: Discreet, which is its purpose. Certainly better than a 4- or 6-cylinder, but otherwise without any particularly distinctive sound character—except at startup.
- Range Rover Sport 5.2L supercharged V8: Pleasant at low revs with the window down, but quite ugly at high RPMs. It sounds like a rough, unrefined American V8 (which it isn't), with absolutely no refinement.
- Lamborghini Aventador 6.5L naturally aspirated V12: I always drive it with the roof off and windows down. There's also a small rear window separating the cabin from the engine, which I lower as well. So loud at startup that I have to wear hearing protection inside the car. At low RPMs, mechanical transmission noises dominate—you feel like you're part of a giant gearbox. The engine tone is fairly uniform regardless of RPM (it just gets louder), but the most interesting part is during deceleration, when you hear either an impressive growl like a tiger or explosive bangs in the exhaust (in sport mode).
- Ferrari 360 Modena 3.6L naturally aspirated: I always drive with the windows down. It’s a relatively small engine that climbs quickly in RPMs, with a tone that changes significantly depending on engine speed—especially above 6000 RPM where it takes on a very metallic note reminiscent (somewhat) of Formula 1. This also happens during downshifts. In fact, it's the most "race car"-like engine I have. It really urges you to drive fast. I specifically chose the F1 gearbox so I could vary the revs effortlessly and make the most of its sonic richness.
- Aston Martin DB9 GT 6.0L naturally aspirated: Best appreciated with the windows down, otherwise you lose the high-pitched notes. Ideally, with a rock wall on the left (as always!). It’s impressive first and foremost by its volume (I’ve actually been stopped by the police…), and it clearly comes from a more lenient era regarding noise regulations. It’s the engine I know with the richest sound palette. In normal mode with windows closed, it’s almost like an S-Class cruiser—though much louder (road noise dominates). Sport mode makes a big difference: there’s a wide range of tones across the rev band, and near the redline it unleashes a furious, metallic, hyper-aggressive scream—truly F1-like!
You are missing three of the best:
Rover V8 as used from the 60/70s - try a TVR from the 80s-90s
Any LS engine - Corvette, Camaro etc.
Ford Mustang 5.0
The engine in my F348 sounds really poor in comparison, the reason, IMHO, is the flat plane crank. This makes it sound like 2 x 4 cyl engines. 'Normal' crank V8s make the best noise.
Rover V8 as used from the 60/70s - try a TVR from the 80s-90s
Any LS engine - Corvette, Camaro etc.
Ford Mustang 5.0
The engine in my F348 sounds really poor in comparison, the reason, IMHO, is the flat plane crank. This makes it sound like 2 x 4 cyl engines. 'Normal' crank V8s make the best noise.
Aston GT8 needs to be on that list -pre GPF and with titanium exhaust and no middle cats its sounds are pure theatre.
Agree with Mustang about the ... Mustang.Have just taken delivery of a Dark Horse and that cross plane ( as with the Aston ) sounds pretty decent ( albeit not quite as good as the original muscle car version ).
In contrast have also got a V10 R8 ( post GPF ) which you need the window's down to really appreciate the noise given how effective Audi's sound deadening material is inside !
Agree with Mustang about the ... Mustang.Have just taken delivery of a Dark Horse and that cross plane ( as with the Aston ) sounds pretty decent ( albeit not quite as good as the original muscle car version ).
In contrast have also got a V10 R8 ( post GPF ) which you need the window's down to really appreciate the noise given how effective Audi's sound deadening material is inside !
MustangGT said:
You are missing three of the best:
Rover V8 as used from the 60/70s - try a TVR from the 80s-90s
Any LS engine - Corvette, Camaro etc.
Ford Mustang 5.0
The engine in my F348 sounds really poor in comparison, the reason, IMHO, is the flat plane crank. This makes it sound like 2 x 4 cyl engines. 'Normal' crank V8s make the best noise.
The Griffith pre-cat is my favourite example of the first one. Rover V8 as used from the 60/70s - try a TVR from the 80s-90s
Any LS engine - Corvette, Camaro etc.
Ford Mustang 5.0
The engine in my F348 sounds really poor in comparison, the reason, IMHO, is the flat plane crank. This makes it sound like 2 x 4 cyl engines. 'Normal' crank V8s make the best noise.
Interesting comments OP. The problem I find is that people conflate a good engine note with a loud exhaust. I love the sound of the valvetrain and gears too, and too often this gets hidden by a noisy exhaust.
My experience of Ferrari V8s is that the F355 sounds better than the 360, and progressively they sound worse and worse as the models get newer. The 308/328 sound pretty underwhelming to me from outside, but inside the mechanical sounds are wonderful..
Clearly a lot of work goes into the Aston Martin engine sounds, though I find the exaggerated roar on start up a bit cringe.
I think the 5.5l twin-turbocharged engine found in the S63 Coupe etc gets the mix bang-on.
A good V10 sounds very special indeed to me; a Huracan is really thrilling to hear. There are good reasons why a V10 sounds so pleasing, its all to do with even-order harmonics, which gives you a major 3rd interval, as a 10th in the case of the V10.
The 996.2 with the Porsche Switchable exhaust sounds brilliant too... a very characterful sound with a deep burble at idle, a distinct bark between 3-4,000 rpm then a howl as it rises to the red line, together with just the right amount of crackle on the over-run.
My experience of Ferrari V8s is that the F355 sounds better than the 360, and progressively they sound worse and worse as the models get newer. The 308/328 sound pretty underwhelming to me from outside, but inside the mechanical sounds are wonderful..
Clearly a lot of work goes into the Aston Martin engine sounds, though I find the exaggerated roar on start up a bit cringe.
I think the 5.5l twin-turbocharged engine found in the S63 Coupe etc gets the mix bang-on.
A good V10 sounds very special indeed to me; a Huracan is really thrilling to hear. There are good reasons why a V10 sounds so pleasing, its all to do with even-order harmonics, which gives you a major 3rd interval, as a 10th in the case of the V10.
The 996.2 with the Porsche Switchable exhaust sounds brilliant too... a very characterful sound with a deep burble at idle, a distinct bark between 3-4,000 rpm then a howl as it rises to the red line, together with just the right amount of crackle on the over-run.
Robertb said:
Interesting comments OP. The problem I find is that people conflate a good engine note with a loud exhaust. I love the sound of the valvetrain and gears too, and too often this gets hidden by a noisy exhaust.
My experience of Ferrari V8s is that the F355 sounds better than the 360, and progressively they sound worse and worse as the models get newer. The 308/328 sound pretty underwhelming to me from outside, but inside the mechanical sounds are wonderful..
Clearly a lot of work goes into the Aston Martin engine sounds, though I find the exaggerated roar on start up a bit cringe.
I think the 5.5l twin-turbocharged engine found in the S63 Coupe etc gets the mix bang-on.
A good V10 sounds very special indeed to me; a Huracan is really thrilling to hear. There are good reasons why a V10 sounds so pleasing, its all to do with even-order harmonics, which gives you a major 3rd interval, as a 10th in the case of the V10.
The 996.2 with the Porsche Switchable exhaust sounds brilliant too... a very characterful sound with a deep burble at idle, a distinct bark between 3-4,000 rpm then a howl as it rises to the red line, together with just the right amount of crackle on the over-run.
Thanks for the comments, I forgot to mention that all exhausts of those cars are stock. I am not expert enough to follow your explanations regarding the V10 sound, but I was personally not totally convinced by the sound of an Huracan I rented in the past.My experience of Ferrari V8s is that the F355 sounds better than the 360, and progressively they sound worse and worse as the models get newer. The 308/328 sound pretty underwhelming to me from outside, but inside the mechanical sounds are wonderful..
Clearly a lot of work goes into the Aston Martin engine sounds, though I find the exaggerated roar on start up a bit cringe.
I think the 5.5l twin-turbocharged engine found in the S63 Coupe etc gets the mix bang-on.
A good V10 sounds very special indeed to me; a Huracan is really thrilling to hear. There are good reasons why a V10 sounds so pleasing, its all to do with even-order harmonics, which gives you a major 3rd interval, as a 10th in the case of the V10.
The 996.2 with the Porsche Switchable exhaust sounds brilliant too... a very characterful sound with a deep burble at idle, a distinct bark between 3-4,000 rpm then a howl as it rises to the red line, together with just the right amount of crackle on the over-run.
V10 all day long and then some.
I bought an R8 RWS with sports exhaust in 2018 as a stopgap. Still got it, will probably take my last ever drive in it when the time comes. Various GT Porsches inc RS have come and gone in that time. None of them can hold a candle to the R8 when it comes to power train. It’s one of the greatest, best engineered power trains out there, quiet and cosseting when your not on it, simply sublime when you are. Still makes the hairs on the back of my neck come up when you rev it out. Whipcrack sharp as well. A truly great engine, mine is pre PPF as well. Bloody lovely.
A V8 nice though it is just doesn’t get close for me, more sledgehammer than musical instrument. A V12 runs it close but the V10 just has the edge IMHO.
I bought an R8 RWS with sports exhaust in 2018 as a stopgap. Still got it, will probably take my last ever drive in it when the time comes. Various GT Porsches inc RS have come and gone in that time. None of them can hold a candle to the R8 when it comes to power train. It’s one of the greatest, best engineered power trains out there, quiet and cosseting when your not on it, simply sublime when you are. Still makes the hairs on the back of my neck come up when you rev it out. Whipcrack sharp as well. A truly great engine, mine is pre PPF as well. Bloody lovely.
A V8 nice though it is just doesn’t get close for me, more sledgehammer than musical instrument. A V12 runs it close but the V10 just has the edge IMHO.
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