By Casey Liss
Exhaust Ethics

The Washington Post has an article discussing the trend of automakers lately to pipe fake engine noises into the cabin:

Which raises a more existential question: Does it matter if the sound is fake? A driver who didn’t know the difference might enjoy the thrum and thunder of it nonetheless. Is taking the best part of an eight-cylinder rev and cloaking a better engine with it really, for carmakers, so wrong?

As someone who is a self-described car nut, I have complex thoughts about these synthetic noises. As I’ve lamented in the past both on this blog and on Twitter, it’s hard for me to come to terms with advancements in automotive technology.

I don’t like the thought of fake engine noises. It’s disingenuous, silly, and betrays the real soul of the car.

However, I have to admit to myself that I’d probably enjoy it.

I know that my car today may very well be the last car I ever own with a human-operated clutch. I know that it may be the last one I own with a completely authentic exhaust note. I know that my next car, likely with its dual-clutch gearbox and synthetic exhaust, is going to be superior to my car today. Doesn’t mean I have to like those “features” though.

At this very moment, I know I’m getting old.

Link via Scott Hanselman