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2015 Ford Mustang GT Exhaust Sounds Coarse and Brutish

We already know that the 5-liter Coyote V8 delivers 435 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels of the all-new Ford Mustang, but what about the sound it makes. Does it have enough burble and growl for maximum aural pleasure or not?
2015 Ford Mustang 1 photo
Photo: Ford
Just like a particular person's taste in music, this topic has a tad of subjectivity to it - some may find the sound of the eight-cylinder as entertaining as a Rolling Stones concert, while others might say that it's just a racket like any other V8 engine in production today. Even though we find the sound to be almost perfectly balanced between tame and unrestrained havoc, it all depends on perception.

In a more objective way of dissecting the subject, we can tell you that one man is responsible for the all-new Stang's soundtrack. Cue Shawn Carney, powertrain noise, vibration and harshness engineer for the 2015 Ford Mustang. When the development team started work on the vehicle, Shawn was tasked with making sure no matter what engine is installed, every new Mustang sounds like a Mustang should. Like cinematic sound editors, Carney crafted the soundscape that enhances the overall driving experience.

The Blue Oval tells in an official statement that "the V8 engine rumble has long been considered the mating call of Mustang." Aaa, we're not so sure about the leaning of that particular assertion, but hey, let's keep an open mind here. You know how music producers can rebalance frequencies in the studio to get the most harmonious sound from an acoustic guitar, right? Carney had pretty much similar tools at his disposal to fine tune the noise made by the sixth-generation Mustang's engine and exhaust system.

Microphones were mounted in the cabin of the pony car to measure what the driver hears and provide real-time feedback control. The audio system is used to generate opposing sound waves to cancel out undesirable frequencies – such as low-speed boominess – while simultaneously amplifying the notes that reinforce the V8 powerhouse's growl. The GT receives a revised exhaust system to lay the bass note and set the rhythm from the first crank of the engine. Upfront, a redesigned induction sound tube matches the beat of the exhaust, playing directly into the cabin without being aurally uncomfortable.

“Our goal with all three powertrains was to provide the driver with an engaging experience including clear feedback about what the car is doing at all times, but without isolating the driver from the action,” said Carney. “When tuning the sound quality of any Mustang, I often describe what I do as 'letting you hear what you feel,’ and aiming for that which is unmistakably Mustang – regardless of what engine is in front of you.”

That being said, play the video below and listen carefully: is that sound quintessentially Mustang or not?

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About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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