DOES SOUND MATTER?

The decision of Porsche to replace the six cylinder engines in its Boxster and Cayman models with turbocharged four cylinder engines has caused a great deal of consternation and upset amongst the motoring fraternity.
There appears to be universal agreement that the four-cylinder engine does not sound as good as its six-cylinder predecessor.

This has spoilt the enjoyment of many motoring journalists even if they all agree that the cars are still the best in their class and are better than they were in many other ways.

So, does the sound of an engine matter?

If you see a car as purely a means of getting from point A to point B then the answer is probably not.
However, in the case of Porsche, the answer must be yes and can be summarised in one word which is “theatre!”
The purchase of a Porsche sports car, as opposed to a Porsche SUV, is a purchase based on passion as opposed to reason.

View gallery image

A person buys such a car because they want to be moved and entertained as they drive.
I compare it to the difference between watching a fourth-generation video copy of a film like Star Wars, on a 14-inch TV, as opposed to seeing it in Dolby Digital Stereo on a giant cinema screen.
In both cases, you will know what is going on in the film.
However, if you watch the video on a small screen, with mono sound then you will not appreciate the spectacle of the cinema screen and multi layered, multi directional sound.
The same is true of a high calibre sports car.
You want precise steering, a powerful engine and an engine note that stirs the five senses.
In the case of Porsche, there is another aspect which is heritage.
The sound of a six-cylinder engine in the back of a 911 is all part of the joyous experience.
If you do not agree with me, then please watch Jethro Bovingdon’s Drivetribe videos on the subject of the new GT3.
A Porsche driving experience, without a multi layered, multi toned, exhaust note, is a diminished experience.