A lot of bark and little bite?
With the automotive industry focusing on downsizing and turbocharging engines, the days of the big-displacement, V-8, V-10, or V-12 engines are slipping away. The massive, high-cylinder powerhouses had incredible exhaust notes that just cannot be replicated by turbocharged inline-fours, V-6s, and other smaller engines. MR Racing is looking to change that with their Sound Generator system and it’s likely going to elicit some very polarizing views.
The new MR Racing Sound Generator system gives vehicles with small-displacement, low-cylinder engines that mean, ferocious sound of a bigger V-8. The system utilizes a sound generator controlled by an optional WLAN receiver using an Apple or Android smartphone app. The 1,699-Euro Sound Generators essentially play a synced sound of a big V-8 for others to hear. It’s kind of like stuffing your pants to make your crotch look bigger for the ladies. In the end, it only results in a disappointment.
The model that MR Racing decided to showcase their Sound Generator system on was a Volkswagen Golf GTD with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel inline-four engine. The engine spits gasses through a sport exhaust system with dual 100 mm tailpipes, even though it’s equipped with the Sound Generator system that makes it sound like a V-8. A new K&N air intake and a software tune pushes output to a respectable 221 horsepower and 332 lb-ft. of torque while sounding like it’s even more powerful.
In addition to the engine and sound tuning, MR Racing added on a full Rieger body kit to the Volkswagen Golf GTD. The kit includes a new front spoiler lip and blade setup, new side skirts, and a rear diffuser to help calm airflow along the lower portion of the hot hatch. A new set of SRS-Tec 40 mm wider front arch extensions further emphasize power. After all the new body work was added, a special red and gold wrap was added to highlight the new parts.
Inside of those extended fenders sits new MR Racing MR14 alloy wheels with a five double-spoke design and gold-painted spokes. The 9.0 x 20 ET 45 wheels also wear grippy Hankook Ventus S1 Evo tires measuring 235/30 R20 to stick to the asphalt. Behind those wheels sits a new KW Variant 3 coilover suspension with adjustable height, bound, and rebound for the perfect driving setup.
Inside, convenience was the focus for MR Racing. The Golf GTD was given a new Pioneer AVIC-F 60 DAB navigation system with DVD function in the center console area by Hermanns. The system also integrates the factory vehicle functions such as the backup camera on its display as well.
The new MR Racing Sound Generator system on this Volkswagen Golf GTD is probably not going to be a huge hit among pure automotive enthusiasts, however it may pick up some steam for those looking for a bit more bark even if it doesn’t come with any bite.
MR Racing Volkswagen Golf GTD Specifications
Engine:
Displacement: 2.0 liters
Number of Cylinders: Inline-four
Aspiration: Turbodiesel
Maximum Horsepower: 221
Maximum Torque: 332 lb-ft. / 450 Nm
-MR Racing Sound Generator system
-Sport exhaust with 100 mm tailpipes
-Software tune
-K&N air filter
Wheels, Tires, and Suspension:
Wheels: MR Racing MR14 alloy
Wheel Size: 9.0 x 20 ET 45
Tires: Hankook Ventus S1 Evo
Tire Size: 235/30 R20
Suspension: KW Variant 3 coilovers
Exterior:
-Rieger front spoiler lip
-Rieger front spoiler blade
-Rieger side skirts
-Rieger rear diffuser
-SRS-Tec 40 mm wider front fender extensions
-New exterior wrap
Interior:
-Pioneer AVIC-F 60 DAB Navigation system with DVD function
MR Racing Volkswagen Golf GTD Gallery
Source: MR Racing
Do you like that MR Racing’s Sound Generator makes a “fake” V-8 sound for this VW Golf GTD?
