BMW gives MINI Diesel artificial V8 bite [Video]

Sound design technology can make small diesels sound like large, petrol V8s

One of the least reported on aspects of the auto industry is how automakers design the sound of their vehicles. And BMW has been one of the pioneers of this technology which it calls Active Sound Design.

Now, BMW engineers have developed an "engine note" for the MINI that can make its four-cylinder diesel sound like a petrol/gasoline-powered "muscle car" V8. In fact, four different engine notes have been created and are being tested in both a MINI and BMW 635d prototype.

The technology uses the car's own sound-system to enhance the driver experience - so much so that many test drivers come to perceive the car as performing better compared to an identically-powered unit without the sound design technology. The technology uses panels to deaden the sound in the engine bay while feeding artificial sounds to the cabin through the car's sound-system.

BMW wants to use the new engine-notes to improve its diesel offerings.

According to Albert Kaltenhauser, BMW's Manager for Airborne Sound, Acoustics and Vibration: "Today's diesel engines are capable of a lot. They're efficient, highly effective and high-torque, but until now they were lacking the right sound."

Source: autocar

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catchmyshadow

it`s like drinking water that tastes like wine. once the petrol engine is gone, it?s gone. end of story. no need for such uselss, artificial crap

June 11, 2010 3:27 pm

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Max_Speed

Can u imagine that on a prius. Totally agree with the above poster.

June 11, 2010 3:40 pm

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THEBENCHMARK

It's funny how muscle cars bring out the most primal feelings of automotive lust. It's like a good old rock and roll band, the guitarist may only know a few cords but he still rips. All these EuroCar fanboy's try to make believe there cars are like fine classical music, when deep down inside it's simply the muscle car V8 roar they all really crave. They will never admit it though, they have their pinkies way too high in the air for everyone to see how sophisticated they are trying to be. I guess the muscle car industry should be pleased that economy cars are trying to be like them, even if they are just pretending. But it has been proven that pretend play is critical in development so maybe when they grow up they will have a clue as to what they really need.

June 11, 2010 4:17 pm

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vilivo

If you look at 100% of American cars vs. 100% of European cars, one will find that most of the American cars (NOT ALL!!!), tend to handle like a refrigerator, in comparison to their Euro Rivals, so yes, Euro cars are superior in that, economy/greenness, power per c.c., and interior quality- no contest. But then again Most (NOT ALL) AAmerican cars tend to have "more car per buck", and due to the low stress they mostly (NOT ALL) carry far less temperamental engines. S'true- go check 4 URself - the only grown up thing to do now is admit that its not a violation of the Geneva convention for other people to like their cars different from yours (this applies to haters of ALL cars), and perhaps this could lead to World Peace, or not... But I do know it will be, as the locals here say- AYOBA!!!!!

June 11, 2010 4:43 pm

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THEBENCHMARK

Muscle cars I feel can be from any make or model. Traditionally yes, muscle cars are midsize, V8, American vehicles. But I think of cars like the Mercedes C63, Porsche Panamera (turbo), and Jaguar XKR as muscle cars as well. I have driven all 3 and they are great to drive, make the right noise (especially the Mercedes) but none of them handle that much better than a refrigerator as you say. They can be called Grand touring cars if you like, but look up the definition and you'll see they compromise handling performance for comfort..... Like a muscle car. I am an American, and yes I do love our cars, but that wasn't my point with my post above.

June 12, 2010 1:28 pm

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they need this for electric cars, and for the outside too.

June 11, 2010 4:35 pm

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Hero Sina

instead of doing this try to make wipers noise lower!

June 12, 2010 12:01 am

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Kepex

Hmmh... West Coast Customs made something a lot cooler in the Pimp my ride show.. They gave some boring car a huge speaker setup installed in the bottom of the car, and it made fake engine notes that you could select from a huge variety of different supercars. :p

June 12, 2010 2:47 am

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1 reply

THEBENCHMARK

I too watched that episode and was thinking the same thing when I saw this!

June 12, 2010 1:15 pm

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THERENAISSANCEMAN

get off it , BMW...you can do better than this

June 12, 2010 5:40 am

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mb74

Get a grip guys, it's a laughable Mini. This type of car is just for fun thus tarting up the shitty diesel is cool. It's no different to WRX's with those huge wings...They are not really necessary apart from the 'fun to have' factor (if you are 12 years old).

June 12, 2010 7:39 am

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HEMI426

Go to hell bmw. This is pethatic. First I thought they had put a v8 in a mini, but no it's just the sound. This is as fake as it gets.

June 12, 2010 1:18 pm

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1 reply

THEBENCHMARK

I like your name, and I like your opinion.

June 12, 2010 1:37 pm

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yozunltd

So cheesy . I'm expecting the X6 to have a sound enhancement system that makes the car sound like your mother having sex . In fact they should make a whole new car with this option . The X6 GT Pick-Up Monovolume

June 12, 2010 1:24 pm

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THEBENCHMARK

That would be gross, all you would hear is like the sound of two water beds slapping together.

June 12, 2010 1:38 pm

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Mikeado

Being fooled into thinking your car's faster with cool noises? That's how K&N make their living...

June 13, 2010 8:49 am

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Xenicide

I like how people who cannot afford a car, or will never end up buying it will get on the Internet and start to bash them. Your opinion is duly noted, but no one cares. If this is how BMW Group wants to use their money, then more power to them.

June 13, 2010 8:13 pm

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1 reply

holmstar

"I like how people who cannot afford a car, or will never end up buying it" That is such a ridiculous argument. Someone isn't allowed to criticize something unless they plan to, and are capable of buying it? How does that make a persons point any less valid? Yeah, BMW is free to waste their money on silly worthless features if they want to, and we are just as free to call them out as silly worthless features. Get over it.

June 14, 2010 8:21 am

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yiotis82

Boring...

June 14, 2010 8:28 am

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