Market Watch: Cars That Sound Absolutely Epic

When it comes to pure driving thrills, only few things can rival a great engine soundtrack. For those that treat cars as more than just point A to B tools, you’ll probably get what we’re driving at; from that growl on a cold-start, to the burble when revs climb, it’s all part of driving engagement.

Sure, the electric age has redefined the meaning of speed. Tap-and-go performance in mainstream SUVs are now the norm - more people have access to blistering pace. Is that a good thing? Yes, if they are used considerately, for overtaking and easing into traffic. (But the urge to push its limits can sometimes be hard to resist...)

Cars with engines tuned to feel and sound great can be savoured without going all-out. Hearing it operate under gentle throttle is an occasion in itself. Sure, there’s no replacement for displacement, but these three cars prove that great sound can be achieved with lesser cylinders, at varying price points.

2011 Audi RS 3 Sportback

It’s fascinating how the car ownership structure in Singapore can work “towards” our favour, sometimes! At S$15k annual depreciation, this 335hp RS 3 arrives at a more agreeable price point than some mainstream family SUVs. Let’s talk about its party piece here - the 2.5-litre inline-5.

At idle, it has a throaty, mechanical growl. But when you push it, you’ll get to enjoy a high-pitched, raspy tone thanks to its uneven exhaust pulse, courtesy of its odd number of cylinders. Vibrations often spell trouble for cars, but the RS 3 has other ideas - reverberations here truly endow it with a distinctive personality.

2011 Maserati Quattroporte Sport GTS

Now we’re treading on more familiar territory. V8s were once common, but environmental regulations have curtailed their presence. And let’s face it - it doesn’t take much for EVs to produce cracking performance these days! But we’re missing the point, because this 400+ hp Ferrari-derived engine knows how to sing.

With its 90-degree V8 cross-plane crank, it creates a smooth, measured growl in the lower regions of the rev range. And it screams under hard acceleration, helped on by an intake sound to complement its high-pitched wail. Don’t be fooled by its sedan silhouette - the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GTS sounds like a genuine supercar.

2018 Lexus LC 500

The Lexus LC 500 might be labelled as the more “civilised” sibling of the bonkers V10-equipped LFA, but it still ranks high when it comes to emotional appeal. A huge part made possible by its 5.0-litre V8 - totally unmasked, free from forced induction. It redlines past 7,000 rpm - that’s unusually high for a big-chested V8!

Active exhaust valves give it a Jekyll and Hyde personality - a more open route for the gases unleashes the full acoustic potential of the V8. Sure, it lacks the torque from turbo V8s, but Lexus knew how to hit the sweet spot.

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