On this episode of the Carmudgeon Show, Jason and Derek discuss the world’s best sounding cars, embracing the cacophony of cylinder count and alignment, valves per cylinder, and other factors that make each engine a musical instrument of sorts. Following a discussion that begins with the Audi RS3 and a breakdown of five cylinder aural theory, Jason and Derek land on the V10-powered Porsche Carrera GT and Lexus LFA as the best sounding cars in the world. Despite having the same cylinder count and revs capable of beyond 8500 RPM, the perception of sound as a driver is much more than meets the ear. Jason and Derek unpack this similarly concluded realization, much in part to a certain Japanese piano maker’s philosophy on engine sound design.

The two Carmudgeons also discuss updates on their recent purchases. Jason upgrades the wheels and tires on his new-to-him Dodge Grand Caravan camera van to take on some additional maneuverability and capability, with newly found grip to throw people and passengers violently about in back. On a similar but entirely different other end of the front wheel drive spectrum, Derek buys a carbureted and hydropneumatic  1979 Citroen CX- a car which may lack in dynamics but compensates with an oozing of character and style.

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