I took my new '16 Clubman S for a long spirited mountain road drive yesterday for the first time. Very much enjoyed it.

I searched for the answer to this, but couldn't find it. Sorry if it's a FAQ.

Although I know the exhaust is at least structurally different between the F54 and the F56, I'm thinking the answer to this question will be the same: What actually changes in sport mode to make the exhaust pop and burble? It also sounds more hollow.

Is this all just acoustic magic and it's coming through the rear speakers, or is there actually something happening there? I can't imagine that they are injecting extra fuel in there in these days of careful emissions controls.

 

Answering my own question: http://www.motoringfile.com/2014/03/...-engine-noise/

I confirmed that this Active Sound Design control unit is in all of the 3rd-gen cars.

 

The actual pops on downshifting etc are still from fuel being sprayed onto the manifold, but the Active Sound contributes while actually accelerating through the revs.

 

The motor is direct injected, so fuel is sprayed into the cylinder while the exhaust valves are open. It then gets sucked out and hits the hot exhaust manifold and other hot exhaust components.

Also being direct injected, the amount of fuel being sprayed can be precisely controlled so the effect on fuel economy is trivial.

 

There is no ASD in the non S Cooper with B38 engine.

 

Yes, I meant all the 3rd-gen "S" cars.

 

The pops and burbles are still produced by unburned fuel in the exhaust manifold, same as most of the 2nd gen MINIs - no ASD trickery there.

If you were to turn off the ASD through coding or other override, you would still hear the pop and burbles.

 

Pushing the sport button and magic