Me and the Mrs Pbenny at Brooklands Weybridge recently. Fabulous museum of aircraft and motor history just outside London.
I have owned both the 2.5S and 4.0GTS Caymans (982). Delivery of the driving experience is certainly very different between the two models. For day to day driving the turbo 4 pot is probably better imo. Is one better than the other overall - I still can’t answer that question!
Still, it’s all history now, currently I am Porsche-less. Not sure I will go back to the brand given how much they cost (new) but I can’t knock them - beautiful cars ![]()
Never having owned either model I am relying on articles and youtubers - suspect basis indeed! There does seem to be a bit of a theme developing with the naturally aspirated cars. Traditionally they have sounded great at all engine speeds, with turbo charged cars having a reputation for sounding muted. The 4 litre engine seems to have been strangled of its character sound tracks by emissions regs getting tighter and tighter. The answer several people have resorted to is to change the exhaust back box - there is quite a choice in the market place which can bring significant sound improvements. Whether many people can be bothered with modifications and the potential impact that may have on warranties is another question!
Peter
The turbo is the reason for a muted, characterless exhaust note. And up to a point is parasitic until it reaches a particular rotational speed at which point it needs external control - wastegate or variable geometry system.
Unlike on a normally aspirated engine the exhaust system doesn’t contribute to power much but can be made to sound better than a stock system.
The best engine sound is the one that comes from my 281 bhp electric Audi. ![]()
PS I will admit that the engine sound of my RS 3 was music to the ears however I once sent passing pedestrians into laughing fits at the sheer surreality of such an overmotorised sound in an urban environment.
I count myself a big petrolhead but find I baulk at the doctored V8 sounds on some modern cars and note others have the sound synthesised inside. That all feels wrong to me. Am I getting old?
I do like the sound of (say) the Dino 246. That sounds natural and proportionate.
How is the Audi’s range as you get more used to it?
I loved the 5 pot growl of my focus st and Audi coupes..
THAT is a car👍🏻
Thanks, refreshingly compact compared to current EVs too
The range has been steadily increasing as the car has been run in. Now after 5000 km the overall average economy is 16.8 kW/h which gets us about 300 miles. On country roads the range is higher, in winter obviously generally lower.
Thanks for the update!
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I don’t think I can see how ‘running in’ is a factor with an EV. What you are experiencing is probably due to the way your driving style is becoming more efficient as you get used to the car. Range is estimated according to recent journey efficiency as well as charge status/capacity. I suppose it is also warmer now than when you bought the car!
In the UK we tend to use mi/kwh to record efficiency. My crude calculations suggest you are getting just under 4.0mi/kWh from your car. In summer that would seem reasonable for a car of that size.
Bruce
While it would seem logical thst running in shouldn‘t be a factor, this is my third new EV and I have noticed the same effect on each of them. I suspect it may have something to do with battery conditioning, i.e. that new batteries have not reached their full capacity. The weather certainly plays a role: it was already warm when I received the vehicle, but we have mostly been driving in good weather. Rainy westher reduces the economy.
Guinnless, I’m aware of the why’s and wherefor’s associated with turbo engines. What I was alluding to is that the sound of normally aspirated engines has been strangled/ muted by the imposition of emissions regulations. Whilst the engines aren’t quite the same, the older 3.2 Boxster engines sounded superb in a way the current 4.0 litre powered models struggle with. Modifying the rear section of the exhaust can reintroduce some of that character without impacting on the emissions - at least, that’s what I’ve heard claimed.
Peter
Gotcha. ![]()
Remaps may help too especially with a nice flowing exhaust tuned to assist with scavenging the cylinders.
My father-in-law had the exact same one. I wanted one back then too, but due to a lack of usable vehicles on the market—I was looking for a model from 1983 to 1986—I ultimately decided on something completely different. Looking back, that was a mistake.
Maybe it is an age thing - I noticed recently that a well known journalist for Autocar, Steve Cropley, was so taken by the Ford Ranger his colleague Matt Prior was gifted on long term loan, that he only went and bought it direct from Ford. He loves it, despite its generous proportions for UK roads. Interestingly he also has a test loan Renault 5 at the moment which is achieving 4.8 m/kWh which is certainly getting there on the efficiency front.
Peter




