I thought I was the only one that heard the wrx/sti off idle rumble.

That was one of my first comments. If you want a comparison go no further than a Subaru. Turbocharged flat four.

^ ouch.

"BROOOOOOOMMMMM - FPTPPTPTPTPTPPTPTPTPTPTPTPTPPPPT"

<iframe width="854" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jgjiDaMr-ek/t/50" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Completely. Going from a slightly-modified 951 to a Cayman S was an eye-opening experience. The Cayman is a better car in every way except useable low-end torque. Granted, the scream of that flat-six -- especially after upgrading to a Fabspeed exhaust -- is worth the price of admission, and the Cayman is undeniably faster when allowed to rev to redline, but the 951 just LAUNCHED from around 2700RPM; the flat-six felt anemic at that RPM, although it's more fun to drive at top of the rev range. Apples and oranges, really.

Again -- read my previous comments: I have no doubt that the engine will be powerful and that the car will be fun to drive. Nobody is saying that these things won't be fast; I was commenting on the sound alone.

In regards to sound, it depends on the headers. If equipped with equal length headers, the 718 will have a very apparent 4 cylinder sound much like the 2015+ WRX's, which are powered by a new DI motor (FA20) with equal length runners. All years STi are still equipped with the venerable EJ25, which is an old design with unequal length headers.

As the used car value in WRX's drop, youngsters with no money and poor taste will have some terrible sounding machines, but when I had mine I had a 3.5" catted downpipe to a Prodrive muffler which sounded excellent. As exotic as my Cargraphic exhaust may sound in the mid range RPMs, I do miss the burble and bass notes of the WRX in parking lots and at cruising speeds. It even sounded good throughout the range, just not as good as a flat 6 higher up.

I don't believe enthusiasts will have any problems getting this model to sound amazing. Whether it comes from the factory acoustically pleasing is another story.

That's largely because Porsche will choose to meet the noise laws in the various countries worldwide. Since the goal of those laws is increasingly to allow no noise to be made, it is left to the individual owners to break the laws and allow the joyful noises to be heard.

JR

Well, even if they offer a performance exhaust option, I just can't see Porsche making it sound mean, for fear of cannibalizing 911 sales. It also doesn't match the visual design language that a car that "elegant" would have such an aggressive tone.

I hate to tell you that Porsche's sport exhausts are also neutered. You see, the US noise laws specifiy when and how the noise will be tested. So Porsche, like others, cheats a little and allows noise at certain speeds and not others. Better than no noise, right? The last one I had gave a nice little bark on startup and sounded pretty decent, except from 25 mph to 40 mph, where it reverted to noise Nazi mode. Wouldn't want to make noise in town, you know.

Porsche usually uses horsepower and consequently acceleration, to create the pecking order. They usually don't make the lesser models sound worse, or look worse, to keep us in line buying the "good Porsches."

JR

Having had just about every variety of water-cooled Porsche aftermarket system as well as several PSE cars, I can honestly say that PSE is my least favorite "performance" exhaust system for a modern flat-six Porsche.

Well, at least mine added a little power (8hp!) I have to say, I was not a fan of the "quiet period" every time I ran through the gears. Most aftermarket muffler suck in quality, so there's that to think about.

JR

https://youtu.be/71dPKCqVegs

Here's a One Take video with the sound. It has a much more metallic note than the STi, but does have the burble. Subarus are bassier. This sounds raspier on the top, almost like my old prodrive exhaust.


Personally, I quite like the 4 cylinder flat four sounds.


Also, that color in the sun is stunning!

I don't hate it either, and that torque sure is nice ! The problem in my book is that the 7400 RPM sound of a the flat 6 was awesome, and in my older days, I'm starting to prefer the old fashioned throttle style of a naturally aspirated engine to the lag-rush of a turbo, even a good turbo. In other words, I think the 718 wil be a better car and definitely way faster, and finally with proper torque for that chassis (even the base model). Yet I will try to buy a 981. I'm becoming an old-purist ;-)