The document discusses how some car manufacturers are using sound generators and speakers to enhance the engine sound in certain sports car models. It provides examples of the Volkswagen Golf GTi, which uses a speaker mounted in the exhaust and another in the engine bay to produce a "sporty sound". It also discusses the Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ, which pipes actual intake noise into the cabin via hoses to provide the driver with sports car sounds without artificial generation. The document expresses surprise at the lengths car companies are now going to enhance sound for marketing purposes.

1. It must be the silly
season again...
It’s not just the fact that it is
Christmas time (how the
year has flown) for my silly
season remark, more so
the lengths that car
manufacturers are going
to now to sell their
respective products.
Enter the world of make
believe... sound generation...’cause
it’s coming to a model near you!
Let’s take a look at two popular sports cars that have implemented some sound generating
“enhancements”, the Toyota 86(Subaru BRZ) and the Volkswagen Golf GTi.
2013 VW Golf GTi
Sold around the world with a vast array of both petrol and diesel engines, the Golf is loaded
with new features such as LED lighting, park assist, dual clutch gearbox, structure borne
sound generator, active exhaust speaker...whoa!...Hang on what, structure sound
generator...speaker exhaust??! Read on...
Next Page
©Copyright Autodata Australia Pty Ltd
December 2013
V12.0

2. Continued
The noise generation/simulator system the Golf employs is designed to give the driver a “sporty
sound” through the use of two sound generators, one mounted in the plenum below the
windscreen, the other, a speaker mounted directly in the exhaust system (diesel GTD models in
Europe only at this stage).You read correctly my fellow technicians, VW put a speaker in the
exhaust!
The Diesel (GTD) version has a speaker for engine sound generation, integrated into the exhaust
system, and is connected to the engine sound generator control unit, connected to the power train
CAN bus system. The engine sound generated by the actuator is guided directly into the exhaust
system, right up to the tailpipes. Depending on the driving mode selected, the vehicle emits a full
bodied exhaust sound in “Sport” mode and a more sedated sound in “Normal” or “Eco” modes.
Thankfully we are yet to see the introduction of the speaker fitted exhaust in this country yet. Our
GTI versions come standard with the plenum mounted sound generator though.
The sound generator unit fitted to a GTI Golf
The engine sound generator control unit (mounted next to the sound generator in the plenum
below the windscreen) receives the following signals from the engine control unit via the CAN bus
network:
• Engine torque- for volume control,
• Engine speed- for determining accurate speed reproduction,
• Actual vehicle speed- again for volume control, up or down pursuant to speed.
Next Page
©Copyright Autodata Australia Pty Ltd

3. 2013 Toyota/Subaru 86/BRZ
Just when you thought that this craziness was only for the European motoring public, think
again. The 86/BRZ sports car has a different take on the same principle.
Instead of artificially creating “go fast” sounds, Toyota simply pipe the intake noise in from the
outside...Genius! Pull back the carpet, and below the steering column you will see a small
“vent”. This is joined via a series of hoses back to the intake (air filter housing). Induction
noises are fed into the cabin to provide the driver with the “sports car sounds”!
The induction noise hose pathway and the vent inside the cabin below the steering
column...right
To our valued clientele and associates, we wish you a happy festive season and a prosperous
2014. We look forward to continue providing your business with information solutions
throughout 2014. From the Autodata Team.
©Copyright Autodata Australia Pty Ltd