Fake car sounds with Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche and BMW with the Soundaktor and other systems

I was recently told of a strange device called the Soundaktor that can be found in various Audi, Volkswagen and ‘possibly’ Porschse cars. Initially I thought it was another internet joke or perhaps April fools – but I was wrong – it’s real! Essentially it is to amplify engine noise into the cabin. The sound made by a box which makes is vibration/noise to make things sound ‘sportier’??? The noise is only apparent inside of the car.

The Soundaktor is standard and often complained about by Golf GTi owners because its fake and annoying and another type of system can be seen here. If it were in my car I would complain about it as well (No – I don’t own an Audi, Porsche or Volkswagen). If I wanted that sort of noise racket I would buy a diesel or a older model. Make an on off switch before your brand is ruined just like what BMW has done with fake V8 sounds produced by the cars speakers – no that’s not a grammatical error. 

That said I completely understand why a car company would do that and it goes along the lines of: why do many of us adorn our cars with stickers ‘ Magic Happens’ stickers, similarly ridiculous flowers decals and the fake ‘AMG’ or M3′ badges on a base model car. It is interesting technology and one I’d associate with emerging Chinese manufacturers and their copies rather than established manufacturers.

Make the Soundatkor and similar systems optional. What’s wrong with the sound of silence or a nice stereo system?