PSE on, PSE off [/The Karate Kid]

The automotive engineer's vocabulary is typically broad and precise, which makes it intriguing to hear the word "emotion" used increasingly when new technologies are introduced. In the case of Porsche's new 911, emotion was cited by engineers as a key factor in developing the car's acoustic signature.

"Sound was a major design and engineering focus," explained Wolfgang Hatz, Porsche's Main Board Member for Research and Development, who also heads VW Group's powertrain development.

At a recent technology workshop for the 2012 Carrera and Carrera S, Hatz and other Porsche engineers noted that creating a unique sound quality "between the engine and the tailpipe" has been a leading criterion for the 911 ever since the iconic sports car's 1963 debut. For the new Type 991 series the development team focused on 'mechanical engine sounds characterized by high frequencies with tonal elements" together with low-frequency intake noises.

So significant is the 2012 car's symphony as deemed by Porsche that the interplay between induction and exhaust was part of the car's design and engineering specification. Computer modeling mapping, as well as analysis of the configuration and dimensions of manifolds, pipework, catalytic converters, and mufflers, was carried out at the company's Weissach Development Center.

The required sonic profile had to satisfy all possible operating states"”from engine starting and idling (conveying power without disturbing the neighbors) to wide-open throttle on a racetrack. The goal was not only to deliver the aural 'emotions" expected of a 911 but also to provide the driver with feedback about the car's mechanical status while meeting Europe's 74 dB(A) drive-by noise requirements.

Electronically synthesized noise is not a Porsche solution, so the engineers developed a new Sound Symposer that is standard on both versions of the car. An acoustic channel picks up intake vibrations between the throttle valve and air filter and a membrane incorporated in the channel reinforces the vibrations and transmits them as an engine sound into the cabin. The system is driver activated or deactivated via a 'Sport" button that controls a valve ahead of the membrane.

The result is a direct acoustic link between the cabin occupants and the engine, providing optimal transmission of the load-dependent sounds. The sound of gearshifts can also be enhanced.

The Sound Symposer incorporates a tunable Helmholtz resonator to achieve an harmonious sound pattern, damping out unpleasant noise occurring at around 5000 rpm.

If the Sound Symposer is deactivated, an aperture in the air filter housing still allows the basic engine and exhaust tones to be heard"”"because we don't want it to sound boring!" explained Dr. Bernhard Pfà¤fflin, General Manager of the Noise and Vibration Department.

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FDXmiguel said:

I personally think its a waste of money, the growl sounds more artificial with PSE, like having loose pipes vibrating under the car..people complain all the time about how the new steering lacks feeling and authenticity so all the buzz around PSE and the concept of a symposer in a car is a bit weird to me ..also, another button that you need to keep turning on and off? as if the sports / sports plus / suspension / start stop function were not enough..

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Roro said:

FDXmiguel said:

I personally think its a waste of money, the growl sounds more artificial with PSE, like having loose pipes vibrating under the car..people complain all the time about how the new steering lacks feeling and authenticity so all the buzz around PSE and the concept of a symposer in a car is a bit weird to me ..also, another button that you need to keep turning on and off? as if the sports / sports plus / suspension / start stop function were not enough..

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I think the 991 sounds fab, I can't hear any artificial-ness at all. It sounds more dramatic than the 997, but a good thing in my view. Re all the buttons etc, fair point, but it's all aimed at giving the driver more control over how the car responds to driver inputs. If the technology was there 30 years ago then Porsche would have done all this 30 years ago, and today we would be having a very different conversation. Most manufacturers seem to be going down that same road, look at the Fez 458 steering wheel, an example of an all-you-can eat button-gasm if I ever saw one.

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FDXmiguel said:

Roro said:

FDXmiguel said:

I personally think its a waste of money, the growl sounds more artificial with PSE, like having loose pipes vibrating under the car..people complain all the time about how the new steering lacks feeling and authenticity so all the buzz around PSE and the concept of a symposer in a car is a bit weird to me ..also, another button that you need to keep turning on and off? as if the sports / sports plus / suspension / start stop function were not enough..

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I think the 991 sounds fab, I can't hear any artificial-ness at all. It sounds more dramatic than the 997, but a good thing in my view. Re all the buttons etc, fair point, but it's all aimed at giving the driver more control over how the car responds to driver inputs. If the technology was there 30 years ago then Porsche would have done all this 30 years ago, and today we would be having a very different conversation. Most manufacturers seem to be going down that same road, look at the Fez 458 steering wheel, an example of an all-you-can eat button-gasm if I ever saw one.

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Totally agree, the 991 already sounds great as it is (drove one 2 weeks ago), thats why I am saying it doesnt need extra "vibrations" coming from PSE. Also, I agree with having the buttons to change behaviour of a car but sound on sound off hardly seems like something that would give the driver more control over how the car responds.

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