Test drove the new cupra yesterday and was highly impressed. Now just IMO I think the the interior of the Vrs is nicer with the sat nav and so on where as the cupra dash doesn't have much going on. Now one thing I did like which was a surprise is when you put it in sport it sounds so mean you just want to keep the go pedal firmly on the floor but its....... Fake!! It sends the sound of an exhaust through the speakers!!!! Cheaters!!! Am totally satisfied now that I'm not missing out on anything and looking even more forward now to getting my VRS :-)

I think I had heard of another car that did the same nonsense and I was thinking "omg, what a fail..." Why would you ever need to do that when the real engine and exhaust are a few feet from you anyway?? It's just so silly and makes the car lose quite a few points imho. If it can be easily disabled it's fine, otherwise it would be a no-no for me.

OK this speaker thing got me interested and so I had a look online and this is what I managed to find.

The device is called "Soundaktor" and it is located in the engine compartment under the wipers.

More about how it looks and how is fitted here:

Also a comparison of the device ON (1:35) and OFF (4:04)

I find this device ridiculous...

Not sure how I feel about this really. I think it sounds interesting... Everyone likes a nice exhaust note. :-)

A more preferable system (which I think they have in some supercars) would be a silencer that can be activated/deactivated on the actual exhaust. So then you could have the beefier sound on demand without it being pumped through the speakers.

what a stupid idea, may as-well blast out iron maiden at 120db than have a fake sound

Disconnect it :think:

Yeah you can usually disable it, BMW do a similar system too, and the new Renault sport Clio will have this enabled.

Ford use it in the new st - makes it sound better apparently.

So more automotive companies use this? to be honest I still feel is cheating and probably this is the reason why the automotive industry is not advertising it openly.

What is next? being able to upload your own sounds via the MDI?

So more automotive companies use this? to be honest I still feel is cheating and probably this is the reason why the automotive industry is not advertising it openly.

What is next? being able to upload your own sounds via the MDI?

Would you not want a little Renault Twingo sounding like a Lamborghini Reventon?

what a stupid idea, may as-well blast out iron maiden at 120db than have a fake sound

No, that would be a much better idea, the Maiden that is

Whats next? Visiting the Milltek website to download your 'aftermarket exhaust sounds' to your iPod?!

There will be threads springing up on here titled "Which exhaust sound -Catback MP3 or Turbo-back MP3 download?"

Whats next? Visiting the Milltek website to download your 'aftermarket exhaust sounds' to your iPod?!

There will be threads springing up on here titled "Which exhaust sound -Catback MP3 or Turbo-back MP3 download?"

You are not too far off - get this, only thing you need is speakers on the outside and you are set! WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not sure how I feel about this really. I think it sounds interesting... Everyone likes a nice exhaust note. :-)

A more preferable system (which I think they have in some supercars) would be a silencer that can be activated/deactivated on the actual exhaust. So then you could have the beefier sound on demand without it being pumped through the speakers.

I like this idea! Perfect for people who don't want the chavved up rumble on tickover but enjoy a summer jolly round the lanes, window open, throttle open.........mmmmmmmm!!!!

I like this idea! Perfect for people who don't want the chavved up rumble on tickover but enjoy a summer jolly round the lanes, window open, throttle open.........mmmmmmmm!!!!

and they already exist.

soundracer, lol now thats got to be the most useless aftermarket bit of kit ive seen, sorry heard

me im a kerrang type of man, where life is loud

Edited 1 February, 201313 yr by the mad monk

Someone has actually written in to Auto Express this week for info on a gadget that will give him a "Racier Exhaust Note", c'mon own up.........

Not sure how I feel about this really. I think it sounds interesting... Everyone likes a nice exhaust note. :-)

A more preferable system (which I think they have in some supercars) would be a silencer that can be activated/deactivated on the actual exhaust. So then you could have the beefier sound on demand without it being pumped through the speakers.

What you want is a Varex exhaust, I have one...

and they already exist.

One of these. Was about £250 but I had to get it from New Zeland, so shipping was a bit expensive. They do ones for middle silencers too so you can just change the "middle box" which is the most restrictive. You could get both so you'd have a compeltely straight through exhaust, then press a button you'll have the valves shut to make it a lot quieter.

I've been toying with this idea but having each valve on a switch, so I can open both or either or.

For more info check out my build thread theres a bit of it in there...

I think there's a difference between what we're talking about and that Varex exhaust. From a quick glance I had, Varex actually alters the sound/tone/note of the exhaust which is something common (not a fan of it but anyway). This "drive-through-speakers" system is a plain cheating device trying to make the driver/passengers think they are in a more powerful car than they really are. In that respect, it is as stupid as for example artificially blurring the windshield view in order to make it look like your travelling at 200mph, or integrating a device in the car's seat that pushes or pulls the driver accordingly in order to give a feeling of harder acceleration/braking. Now if that is not the most ridiculous add-on that a stock car has ever come with I dont know what is. You can't look more like a loser than driving in one of these.

Edited 1 February, 201313 yr by newbie69

So more automotive companies use this? to be honest I still feel is cheating and probably this is the reason why the automotive industry is not advertising it openly.

What is next? being able to upload your own sounds via the MDI?

That would be a good idea for pranking ppl with it, upload the sound off a 25cc scooter at full throttle lol

When I test drove the car I didn't know it had it and though O that's abit meatier than the Vrs and then when I got back to the dealers the boss said its a speaker! Also told me its in the new Leon fr tdi to give it a nicer sound than the normal tractor purr :-)

I think there's a difference between what we're talking about and that Varex exhaust. From a quick glance I had, Varex actually alters the sound/tone/note of the exhaust which is something common (not a fan of it but anyway). This "drive-through-speakers" system is a plain cheating device trying to make the driver/passengers think they are in a more powerful car than they really are. In that respect, it is as stupid as for example artificially blurring the windshield view in order to make it look like your travelling at 200mph, or integrating a device in the car's seat that pushes or pulls the driver accordingly in order to give a feeling of harder acceleration/braking. Now if that is not the most ridiculous add-on that a stock car has ever come with I dont know what is. You can't look more like a loser than driving in one of these.

Very true. It's a bit of a **** take if you ask me.

Although, Renault will allow the Clio to have selectable engine tones from a few of its engines throughout the years. I kid you not. Downloadable engine tones..

I can't wait for the V12 Formula 1 engine noise to come out. Sounds like a normal 4cyl outside, inside... heavan haha!