Thoughts about 718 Engine Note?

[CJFusco]

Like all of us, when I heard of the new 718 Boxster and Cayman model line, I was cautiously optimistic. Sure, we would prefer that all of our Porsche sports cars have a flat-six, but the turbocharged flat-fours are making some pretty good HP -- 300 in the base Boxster and 350 in the Boxster S (there isn't a ton of info on the 718 Cayman yet). The cars also look great, too! And I'm sure the driving dynamics are everything we'd expect from a contemporary Porsche.

The remaining factor is the sound. Now that I have a proper flat-six Porsche -- a 3.4 Cayman S with a Fabspeed Maxflo exhaust setup -- I am now properly aware of how much a great engine note can add to the driving experience. Last weekend, during an unseasonably warm spell in CT, I took my 987 Cayman through a section of very twisty back road with high rock walls on either side; it was the kind of road where you *could* drive in 3rd at mid-range RPM, but why do that when you could hustle it through at 6000rpm in 2nd? With the windows down, of course. The sound was intoxicating. I've owned various Porsches for 16 years now, and it was probably one of the most memorable drives I've had... and it was mostly due to the sound generated by the combination of that motor and that exhaust setup.

Well, in this video, we finally get to listen to Porsche's new flat-four. And maybe the video doesn't do it justice... but it doesn't sound very good, does it? Inside the cabin, it sounds a *little* bit like a 951, but outside? Lots of farts and burbles. It's possible that the driver isn't wringing the engine out the way we might with a naturally-aspirated flax-six, but then again, with turbos, he doesn't really need to.

One might argue that four-cylinder engines just don't sound very good in general, but the Alfa 4C has an argument to make, and the Subi BRZ/Scion whatever it is sounds pretty nice... plus, I've encountered tuned 951s and 968s that have sounded great.

Anyhow. I don't want to poison the well. Listen for yourself, and let me know what you think.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2iVVt1kG2w

[Schumi]

Not a fan, but I wouldn't let the sound stop me from buying one.

I had a 2000 S 3.2 with straight 3-1 tube headers and glass packs. It was flashed and revved to... 7900 I think? I would sometimes take the long way home from work late at night just to go through the PCH tunnel under LAX. It sounded like a damn cup car. Of course, stock, it was damn quiet.

I think the aftermarket will take care of making the 718 sounding proper.

And that launch control.... yes, please.

[rcooled]

The engine note is OK on acceleration, but I don't care for the popping on overrun. I'm not a big fan of turbo fours. As the old saying goes, 'There's no replacement for displacement'. Unfortunately, small forced-induction motors are the future for mass-market performance cars.

That new Boxter is one fine looking automobile though...

[BE911SC]

Originally Posted by CJFusco

One might argue

Three words that best describe the Internet forum world!

[stealthn]

Nice burble...Did you notice how the logo on the wheels looks like rotating swastikas?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Total fail IMHO. Tuners have their TIGs at the ready, taking orders now.

[Embraer]

The segment around 1:55ish sounds exceptionally horrible

[scottmandue]

Oh HE11 yeah!



Hopefully in a few years I will be looking for a sports car for my retirement years.

Also hopefully the depreciation in Boxsters will follow existing trends.

I know we are all in love with the flat six... and us Mericans love our V8's... and who doesn't love the sound of a V12...

But I have always has a soft spot for 4 bangers, maybe because I used to go to the superbike races at Riverside... maybe because my first car was a 4.

[HardDrive]

Sounds good to me.

Enjoy it while you can boys. If you're under 50, you just might live long enough so that fuel driven cars are a novelty.

[pksystems]

Needs more power. Turbo Subaru/Mitsu with mild upgrades make that kind of power.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by pksystems

Needs more power. Turbo Subaru/Mitsu with mild upgrades make that kind of power.

Since when has raw power been the selling point of a Porsche?

[sc_rufctr]

Great but when I watch videos like that I can't help but think about all the "fancy schmancy" gadgets just sitting there waiting to fail.
The Germans can't even make reliable electric windows.

So it now has a turbo charged 4. Great for emissions and efficiency but I absolutely guarantee you it will have reliability issues.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Reminds me of a friend's bachelor party when I was young.

We were in a kitchen. The dancer was getting pretty exotic, and in a drunken stupor, I grabbed a carrot, stuck it through my pants, and got on the floor.

Interestingly, she mounted it, and ground away.
To this day, I can remember the swaying hips, the breast, and the flying hair and naked skin...

It was like we were doing it-
Yet no feeling....

Why? It was only a carrot. That's why.

(forrest gump voice) ...And that is all I have to say about that (former 951 owner).

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

Reminds me of a friend's bachelor party when I was young.

We were in a kitchen. The dancer was getting pretty exotic, and in a drunken stupor, I grabbed a carrot, stuck it through my pants, and got on the floor.

Interestingly, she mounted it, and ground away.
To this day, I can remember the swaying hips, the breast, and the flying hair and naked skin...

It was like we were doing it-
Yet no feeling....

Why? It was only a carrot. That's why.

And that is all I have to say about that (former 951 owner).

I'm not sure what point you are trying to convey......yet I strangely don't care.

You guys are putting way too much thought into this. A very good clue is called a WRX, or a host of other Subarus that have a turbocharged flat-four. They sound ok when stock, and honestly not too much better with an exhaust. I had a Legacy GT that was both stock and with some exhaust mods, I never really felt like it sounded good. No amount of aftermarket will make a turbocharged flat four sound like a flat six. And whoever mentioned a 951 sounding good.........just no. I've had two with multiple configurations of exhaust, the only good sounding 951 was with a stock exhaust so you really couldn't hear all that much. A 951 with a 3" turbo back exhaust will turn the heads of Honda fart can fanatics and not much else.

The message from Porsche is clear - if you want a flat six we have a 911 to sell you. It further differentiates the flagship model, without totally diluting the entry level.

[CJFusco]

That's a good point -- the 718s will provide a great driving experience, but one would have to buy a 911 to get the real "Porsche experience," at least the closest thing that the purist can get in the modern line.

I dunno. I love turbocharged cars, but once you get a taste of the Porsche flat-six -- especially once it's uncorked by upgrading the exhaust system (if you can't tell, I was profoundly underwhelmed by the stock setup) -- it's tough to think of driving a performance car without a great engine sound.

[SeattleC5]

Originally Posted by rcooled

The engine note is OK on acceleration, but I don't care for the popping on overrun. I'm not a big fan of turbo fours. As the old saying goes, 'There's no replacement for displacement'. Unfortunately, small forced-induction motors are the future for mass-market performance cars.

That new Boxter is one fine looking automobile though...

Nice looking, probably has great driving dynamics, but I agree that the popping on overrun would get old fast. I was already tired of it at the end of a two minute video.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by CJFusco

That's a good point -- the 718s will provide a great driving experience, but one would have to buy a 911 to get the real "Porsche experience," at least the closest thing that the purist can get in the modern line.

I dunno. I love turbocharged cars, but once you get a taste of the Porsche flat-six -- especially once it's uncorked by upgrading the exhaust system (if you can't tell, I was profoundly underwhelmed by the stock setup) -- it's tough to think of driving a performance car without a great engine sound.

I've posted on here before that anyone who finds a 986/987 or 996/997 to be boring needs to drive one with a performance exhaust. Porsche gave them entirely too much muffler from the factory, a good exhaust adds so much to the experience overall. I don't pretend to understand exactly what gives different engine types their distinct sound, only that each type has it. You will never be able to replicate the raspy flat-six howl with a flat-four, just like an inline-4 will never sound like a V-8. There are few engines that can match a flat-six at full song.

It probably won't be a big deal to the average 718 buyer, most of which will probably be more concerned about styling or luxury features. But the loss of the NA flat-six is a big deal to me, and the 718 is far less appealing because of it.

[fastfredracing]

The artificial engine noise that they pump into the cockpit will make it sound just fine from the inside .

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

The artificial engine noise that they pump into the cockpit will make it sound just fine from the inside .

That was the point where I knew the M5 had officially lost its way. I don't think Porsche is there.......yet.

[fanaudical]

It just doesn't sound quite....right.

I'll reserve final judgement until I get to hear one in person. It does look fun, though...