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America’s best-selling cars and trucks are built on lies: The rise of fake engine noise
Washington Post ^ | January 21, 2015 | Drew Harwell

Posted on 01/21/2015 1:07:39 PM PST by Second Amendment First

Stomp on the gas in a new Ford Mustang or F-150 and you’ll hear a meaty, throaty rumble — the same style roar that Americans have associated with auto power and performance for decades.

It’s a sham. The engine growl in some of America’s best-selling cars and trucks is actually a finely tuned bit of lip-syncing, boosted through special pipes or digitally faked altogether. And it’s driving car enthusiasts insane.

Fake engine noise has become one of the auto industry’s dirty little secrets, with automakers from BMW to Volkswagen turning to a sound-boosting bag of tricks. Without them, today’s more fuel-efficient engines would sound far quieter and, automakers worry, seemingly less powerful, potentially pushing buyers away.

Softer-sounding engines are actually a positive symbol of just how far engines and gas economy have progressed. But automakers say they resort to artifice because they understand a key car-buyer paradox: Drivers want all the force and fuel savings of a newer, better engine — but the classic sound of an old gas-guzzler.

“Enhanced” engine songs have become the signature of eerily quiet electrics like the Toyota Prius. But the fakery is now increasingly finding its way into even beefy trucks and muscle cars, long revered for their iconic growl.

For the 2015 Mustang EcoBoost, Ford sound engineers and developers worked on an “Active Noise Control” system that amplifies the engine’s purr through the car speakers. Afterwards, the automaker surveyed members of Mustang fan clubs on which processed “sound concepts” they most enjoyed.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: automakers
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To: RatRipper

The Theft Bag is, Extortion-Care every year, every month, every socialized-security-numbered person in their fascist Work-Camp. Work Camp Inspections and shakedowns every April.


21 posted on 01/21/2015 1:24:00 PM PST by Varsity Flight (Extortion-Care is is the Government Work-Camp: Arbeitsziehungslager)
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To: glorgau

Nothing sounded like my 360 Duster with Crane racing cam, giant 4 bbl and headers. Barely idled at the light.

Sure was fun blowing corvettes away. I even gave them a head start.


22 posted on 01/21/2015 1:25:29 PM PST by bicyclerepair (Ft. Lauderdale FL (zombie land). TERM LIMITS ... TERM LIMITS)
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To: Second Amendment First
I think what were saying is there is Nothing New under the Sun. Ingenuity has always existed, want something different, figure it out and make it.
23 posted on 01/21/2015 1:25:40 PM PST by easternsky
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To: bicyclerepair
"Luigi only like the Ferraris"


24 posted on 01/21/2015 1:28:29 PM PST by MrB (The difference between a Humanist and a Satanist - the latter admits whom he's working for)
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To: Second Amendment First

Well the $1.47/gal gasoline here in Indiana would support your plan! God bless the frackers.


25 posted on 01/21/2015 1:30:03 PM PST by nascarnation (Impeach, convict, deport)
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To: freedomlover

Cool story, did you ever blow the muffler right off? I know that happens occasionally.


26 posted on 01/21/2015 1:30:55 PM PST by nascarnation (Impeach, convict, deport)
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To: RatRipper

Is nothing genuine anymore?


NOPE. 18 years ago, I bought a new Honda Civic. a few months later, I was invited to come rate a competitor’s model, and give my feedback. Took about 45 minutes, I got $75. Nothing dishonest, just how did this or that feature rate vs my car.

The company who paid me, asked if I’d be interested in participating in “marketing focus groups”, after work, for a similar rate of pay. I had two young kids, and said “oh yes”.

I attended about five of these sessions, anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours. The basic concept was, as a consumer, was I falling for the BS that the marketers were trying to pass off. Faithfully, I agreed, and went along with the con, and told them what they wanted to hear.

The last session was ultimate BS, and the presenter was a bimbo, fresh out of school, and very condescending to us working types. I failed to agree that I was going to buy the same old snack bar, in a bright, shiny new package, or something to that affect.

That was the last time I was invited to a presentation, never heard from them again. Too bad, it was the most lucrative part time job I ever had !


27 posted on 01/21/2015 1:31:02 PM PST by jttpwalsh
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To: Second Amendment First

I remember TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD advertizing FORDS back in the late 1950s and bragging that the car was so quiet all you could hear was the air going by.


28 posted on 01/21/2015 1:31:06 PM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar
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To: stephenjohnbanker

What “gadgets” are they disconnecting?


29 posted on 01/21/2015 1:31:28 PM PST by nascarnation (Impeach, convict, deport)
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To: nascarnation

Bought 93 octane for under $2.


30 posted on 01/21/2015 1:32:11 PM PST by Second Amendment First
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To: Bloody Sam Roberts

**Cherry Bombs and such***

is that the same as “dumps”?


31 posted on 01/21/2015 1:32:17 PM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar
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To: Kartographer

Wonder if I can get a recording of a Trabant engine redlining for my F-150 or maybe I can just record a stick dragging along a picket fence.

Head turners for sure.


32 posted on 01/21/2015 1:32:53 PM PST by Covenantor ("Men are ruled...by liars who refuse them news, and by fools who cannot govern." Chesterton)
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To: Second Amendment First

When, if ever, are Americans going to become sick unto death of the corruption exhibited by all present institutions? When will it be stopped?


33 posted on 01/21/2015 1:33:38 PM PST by AEMILIUS PAULUS
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Comment #34 Removed by Moderator

To: Graybeard58

The administration may have institutionalized lies, fraud, corruption and even death.


35 posted on 01/21/2015 1:35:15 PM PST by AEMILIUS PAULUS
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To: SpaceBar

Acoustics of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle engine...


Tell me about it. I thought I had bought the perfect house. My bedroom window backs up to an ordinarily quiet street, except on Sundays, “Hog Riders” use it as a short cut to the local canyon road, that is a popular ride.

Like it or not, I am up every Sunday morning before 7:00am


36 posted on 01/21/2015 1:35:28 PM PST by jttpwalsh
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To: Second Amendment First

Sweet :-)
60% of USA RVs are manufactured here in Indiana. I’m hoping this will be a nice “stimulus” for our state.


37 posted on 01/21/2015 1:36:17 PM PST by nascarnation (Impeach, convict, deport)
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To: nascarnation

God bless them and protect them from the nefarious plans of the Obama administration’s EPA which seeks their destruction.


38 posted on 01/21/2015 1:37:29 PM PST by MrB (The difference between a Humanist and a Satanist - the latter admits whom he's working for)
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To: nascarnation

He mentioned to me......

ON Star,
tracking devices,
dashboard computers.

I didn’t ask any specific questions


39 posted on 01/21/2015 1:37:41 PM PST by stephenjohnbanker (My Batting Average( 1,000) (GOPe is that easy to read))
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To: Second Amendment First

I have an all stock 3.8 V6 Firebird and it sounds fine when you punch it. In fact it sound strangely like the revving engine at the start of The Doors ‘LA Woman’. Get a little more air going through the engine and the growl goes up considerably. How many cubes are involved in these faked engine sound cars?


40 posted on 01/21/2015 1:38:46 PM PST by TalBlack (Evil doesn't have a day job.)
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