GR86 For those of us with our cars already or have test driven one - your thoughts on the 'pumped in' engine sound?

[Hicko]

Hey folks,

Hope you're all doing well.

For those of us that have already received our cars or those who have test driven one, I thought it would be interesting to get feedback on the pumped in engine noise in the cabin, get a general feel for what the concensus is.

Personally, I don't mind it, would even go as far to say that it quite enhances the feel when pushing the car. I'll be leaving mine switched on until the time comes that I get a new exhaust system fitted thats a little bit (not yobbish) louder and offers a more unique tone.

Cheers!

 

[Conscript]

Well so far, I haven't actually heard it, because I think it only comes on at high revs...and I'm still breaking the car in, so haven't gone over 4K RPM. Well...maybe a little bit for a few seconds, but not enough to really gauge what it sounds like.

I know that's not an entirely useful conclusion for you. However, I have done two long motorway drives (~100 miles), cruising at about 70MPH, so about 3K revs, and I can't say that I had any sort of irritation from fake engine noise. So I can at least vouch for it not being intrusive during 'normal' driving, or cruising.

EDIT: Someone actually posted a direct comparison in this thread: https://www.gr-zoo.com/threads/gr86-fake-engine-sound-on-off-comparison.2552/
Which is great, although for some reason, he never "cruises" in anything above 4th gear, so of course he always hears it.

 

[Hicko]

Yeah I watched that video, very clever how he implemented a switch for it

 

[Chris Mc]

you seem to forget that several hundred people will have been out on demo / test drives.

The one I tested, was ok up to 3.5k rpm, at 5k rpm the artificial noise is quite obvious, at 6k its loud. A bit over droney to be honest

Its Toyotas way of telling you to change up a gear

 

[Hicko]

you seem to forget that several hundred people will have been out on demo / test drives.

What a let down, I'll update the OP

 

[WpR]

Haven't minded it in my own car but haven't revved past 4500rpm. I remember from the test drive in June I couldn't stand it, way too loud and way too fake, the car loses its credibility sounding like a toy. I have the feeling car people will laugh at it and non-car people will laugh at it even harder and not take it seriously because of it.
I'll be turning it off when the Milltek has been installed after break-in.

 

[OPC100]

I know that's not an entirely useful conclusion for you. However, I have done two long motorway drives (~100 miles), cruising at about 70MPH, so about 3K revs, and I can't say that I had any sort of irritation from fake engine noise. So I can at least vouch for it not being intrusive during 'normal' driving, or crcruising.

Good to know, as I'll be doing a fair bit of cruising in mine.

 

[FS1819]

I'd prefer the original soundtrack from the engine. I like how natural it sounds. The real engine noise starts being louder and noticeable at 3500rpm anyway

 

[PVGR]

I think it really works - basic exhaust noise is virtually non existent so nice to have something. Has a nice revvy punchy tone to it.

Happy to keep trying it to make sure now break in is done

 

[Conscript]

I've exceeded 4k rpm a few times more recently as I approach 1k miles so have heard it a but more often. Although it doesnt sound great, I don't actually think it sounds as offensive as lots of people made out. It doesn't sound any worse than the noise generator on the first gen.

That said, I didn't mind the generator on the first gen, because it wasn't synthetic. It was amplified, sure, but it will still the real intake noise just being transmitted to the cabin. To me, that's no different to modifying an exhaust or intake to amplify the noise. But I think with the new gen, the only thing I don't like is knowing that it's entirely synthetic and coming from a speaker. Sounds silly I know.

 

[Silver Fox]

I'm fairly positive about it so far, as others have said nice and quiet for cruising, and a more aggressive sound when higher up the RPM band.

 

[Matiavus]

I think its great in all honesty and will leave it on if it works well with the Milltek exhaust.

Hated it on the GT86 as it sounded very tinny/plasticy!

 

[FRAJ]

I've exceeded 4k rpm a few times more recently as I approach 1k miles so have heard it a but more often. Although it doesnt sound great, I don't actually think it sounds as offensive as lots of people made out. It doesn't sound any worse than the noise generator on the first gen.

That said, I didn't mind the generator on the first gen, because it wasn't synthetic. It was amplified, sure, but it will still the real intake noise just being transmitted to the cabin. To me, that's no different to modifying an exhaust or intake to amplify the noise. But I think with the new gen, the only thing I don't like is knowing that it's entirely synthetic and coming from a speaker. Sounds silly I know.

I never thought I would be hankering after the sound generator from the old model. Apart from the fact it is a speaker, which is just embarrassing, the whole thing is so quiet at lower revs I can't tell what the engine is doing.