It goes without saying that engine sounds are very important in a sports car. Not only do they enhance the fun factor behind the wheel, but they also provide a crucial rpm reference point when driving hard. As such, some vehicles come equipped with a system that will pump engine noises into the cabin via the stereo—including the 2020 Corvette C8.
In a recent tweet, The Smoking Tire’s Matt Farah revealed that the 2020 Corvette does indeed utilize onboard speakers to enhance the engine note.
“The new Corvette has fake engine noises from the speakers,” Farah wrote. “This is not a driving impression, it is a specification fact, so I can say it,” Farah said in reference to the 2020 Corvette driving impressions embargo.
The new Corvette has fake engine noise from the speakers. This is not a driving impression, it is a specification fact, so I can say it. https://t.co/Q5orkIYDSa
— Matt Farah (@TheSmokingTire) October 3, 2019
Obviously, some enthusiasts are crying foul. In response to the revelation, Chevrolet clarified the issue, saying:
“If customers like how the seventh generation sounds, then they will love the sounds of the LT2 engine in their 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. The car actually uses the exact same strategy and execution as all seventh-generation Corvettes, including the 2019 ZR1. It’s important to note, nothing coming out of the speakers would sound like an engine on its own. We rely on the engine for all the audio content, but given the pass-by requirements and the multiple cavities between the exhaust tips and the driver, some frequencies are lost and need to be supplemented. This results in an engaging and visceral driving experience, as our seventh-generation owners can attest to.”
For reference, the 2020 Corvette is equipped with the mid-mounted, naturally aspirated, 6.2L LT2 V8 engine, which produces upwards of 495 horsepower at 6,450 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 5,150 rpm when equipped with the optional performance exhaust system.
The “fake engine noise” issue is obviously contentious. While some drivers feel as though it’s cheating to use the stereo to enhance the engine note, others enjoy the extra internal combustion sounds. After all, it’s not like the sounds are pumped over the whine of an electric motor, right? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more mid-engine Corvette news, Corvette C8 news, Corvette news, Chevrolet news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Adding fake engine noises is a $500 option on the Porsche Taycan (EV)…
Stop comparing american car’s to vehicles over sea’s! 🙁
I guess the approach is similar to a trick exhaust. Using it is not what the engine really sounds like.
Sounds more like a gimmick than anything else. If for the purpose of being attuned to the engines revs, then I might give a slight pass but still a gimmick.
Sorry. I’m not 3 years old. I like real cars with real mechanical sounds.
Anybody can record a bloody fake engine sound.
Jut, NO.
Can I download these engine sounds, onto my iPhone? And Play The Sounds when I’m driving my freightliner.
Thumbs up?
It’s like listening to a band on the radio in your car.
Personally, I would rather see them at a live concert.
I don’t like lip-synching
Its OK but I would like a way of turning off the added engine sounds. I really like to have it as quiet as possible sometimes.
I also found out that my wife also makes fake sounds…. I feel cheated and misled.
You are funny!
I responded earlier. But this website doesn’t like my iPhone.
And, I have to prove I’m not a robot by clicking fuzzy pics.
GM Authority , it’s not 1985!
All this technology, all this research and money poured into the C-8, and fake engine noise is what they come up with? I prefer a quiet cabin.
Every Corvette I have owned I have added sound deadening to reduce engine and road noise. Now GM is piping the sound ! How can I get of this?
This is bad news when put against all the positive things that the new C8 has. A genuine engine sound is a major factor in sports cars rather than some digitally enhanced noise. Let’s hope there are aren’t any more negative such things that might surface.
It depends on the sound. I have a new C8 on order and more concerned what is sounds like outside the car.
I’m more concerned of what it sounds like outside the car.
If this artificial sound helps me enjoy the car more then I don’t care it’s artificial.
I have a new C8 on order.
No fake gadgetry needed, please!!!
Can it be turned off??
If Chevrolet was going 2 add sound’s from the tail-pipe 2 an additional option to the speaker’s; I’ll Retract my interest of putting $100K + into the car & buy a 2020 Ford mustang Shelby GT500 for the same amount!
C E,
You would have to change your name and probably wear a bag over your head…?
U don’t like Ford’s; SHOVE-IT! My reason to be a chevrolet enthusiast: copying the quarter window design from the 1969 camaro & rounding the design for all the newer L8 model camaro’s; firebird’s; mustang’s “is NOT my opinion of “NEW”! 🙁 ] I don’t know the vehicle brands you like Carry; But i’m a proud “Chevrolet ENTHUSIAST”; so you can shove your opinion down the toilet about my name; (because i chose NOT 2 put my real name down because of hacker intrusions) i’m sorry DODGE owner’s: the carry-over design’s of Charger & Challenger from the 69’s; 70’s are 2 heavy for stability & control!
Gotta add one to my collection and nice to know they have great body insulation on the mid engine(no exhaust under your feet) so I like to here the noise so pipe it through-you don’t like it don’t buy one !!
You guys need to stop getting your knickers into a knot. I’m sure the owner will be able to control that sound as he wishes.
This is a modern car and many people like that stuff. I’m not a fan but if I can turn it off, I’m cool.
The more information released about the C8, the less appealing it seems. The styling is a disappointment, especially the entire front end including the headlights. The fake “window” between the B and C pillars on the hardtop looks cheap and lazy, like the fake “window” on the CT5. It’s too heavy. Now it has fake engine sounds. It has an NA 6.2L V8, not a turbo 3 or 4. It has all the signs of being designed by commitee. Some might say this is nitpicking, but GM failed to make a clean-sheet mid-engined sportscar look and sound good. How is that possible?
ds,
In your particular case, it’s obviously best that you stick to your 1996 Corolla.? That will limit your disappointment.