Karl wonders how he’ll learn to live without the ear tickling pleasure providing by a naturally aspirated engine...
The whistle is unmistakable. With a fan speed of over 250,000rpm, there’s no getting around the noise it creates. Though it’s housed in an enclosed casing, that sort of spin certainly generates some sound. But the real question is this – is it the right type of sound?
No-one will argue with the benefits of turbocharging. More power, more torque, less fuel consumed. It should be a no-brainer. Yet it still has some people scratching their heads, wondering whether they should take the plunge. So why the consternation?
It’s partly because of us journalists. We report the facts. We tell the truth. So there’s no sugar coating the comparison between a new model and a superseded one. And part of that comparison is the aural component. So, here’s a truth – no turbocharged engine will ever sound as good as a naturally aspirated one. Oh, sure, the engine may be better in every other quantifiable statistic – but it just fails to sound appealing.
Take, for example, the current BMW 3 Series. Great interior, excellent handling, good gearbox, but the engine in the 328i just doesn’t get under your skin like the old six-cylinder did. Likewise, the Audi RS6. Brilliant machine, and I’d happy park one in my garage, but if ever there was a weak point, it’s the sound of the engine. There’s no denying its monstrous performance, but if it sounded like the RS4 does, with its high-revving nat-atmo V8, the queue would be twice as long. Maybe even three times as long.
There was some devastating news recently, too. Audi is reportedly looking to switch the RS4 from its current, stellar V8 to a turbo-V6. It’s at this point my head sinks into my hands and I shed a tear. As the last of the German V8s to lose natural aspiration, it’ll be a sad day when I hear the new engine start for the first time. Not because it won’t be fast, but because there’s no doubt in my mind that it’ll sound only marginally better than a wet fart.
Even Ferrari has lost the plot, leaving behind the best engine on the planet (the 458 Speciale’s motor) and going to the forced-induction 488 GTB. Performance? Definitely. Soul? Well, the jury’s out on that one. “But it’s a Ferrari!” cry the fans. Yes, but the brand’s soundtrack was a huge part of its appeal.
Have we lost all hope? Are we resigned to losing that ear-tickling pleasure? Not entirely. Forced induction also includes supercharging, which doesn’t use the engine’s exhaust to run it, hence leaves the exhaust free to breathe. Jaguar’s F-Type R, for example, is by far one of the best sounding engines on sale. The angry exhaust crackles and pops in a manic fashion, and one that’s brilliant for deafening pedestrians.
Let’s be honest, though. Turbos are here to stay. They’re necessary evils, and the grunt they produce is truly epic. But I’m happy to wallow in a bit of grief for a while. Some of the most involving and soulful motors will be consigned to history soon. However, there’s still some hope in the world.
Head to the United States and you can enjoy natural aspiration in all its glory, probably for many years to come. The Corvette, Camaro and Mustang all use free-breathing V8s. They all look brilliant, sound awesome, and the best part? They’ll happily leave big black smoky strips.
No wonder America is called the land of the free.
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