Ok this may be a dumb question but I can't seem to find the answer anywhere.

I test drove a 2010 XF Supercharged and the exhaust note was incredible - even the idle was really aggressive sounding!

I did not test drive a XF Premium at the time. So, now I am considering buying the XF Premium and not the Supercharged.

My question is this, does the XF Premium exhaust note sound just like the Supercharged? And I don't mean under hard acceleration, I am talking about idle and normal driving.

Thanks.

 

Nope!

 

Not at all...

 

The SC engine will sound like a much higher compression engine as this is the effect of supercharging. The SC also whines a bit when the supercharger spins up.

All XF have ducting in the dashboard to allow you to hear the engine note in a subdued way. This intake and combustion sound is totally different than the exhaust note which is hard to hear accurately from inside the car.

 

Speaking about exhaust notes, Has anybody done any mods to the XF supercharged or the XFR exhaust system. I was looking at SPIRES and Paramounts Performance exhaust systems and was woundering if they are worth the $$$$.
I would like to hear a better note at lower RPM. My neighbor has a 2009 C-class AMG benz and his note is awesome.
I know when I rev it alittle I do hear the supercharger whine with the windows down but the I think the exhaust could have alittle more bit.

 

The key difference to the exhaust note is that the XFR and XKR have an "active exhaust system"

This means there is a vacum system that opens the valves on a second set of pipes on each of the back boxes (the outside ones of the four)

The valves open up when you boot it to allow the gases to pass through the second set of pipes to give it the growl!

Someone has told me it is possible to drill a small hole in each pipe and insert a bolt to keep the butterfly valves open (it's already been done over here in the UK)

I want to modify mine so I'll investigate some more and let you know

Regards,

Steve

 

I was really just wanting to know if the base XF exhaust "sounded" like the Supercharged model or if the XF base is much "tamer".

Anyways, I drive a Corvette Z06 and it has bi-mode exhaust like the XFR. it opens a second set of pipes around 3,000 RPM using a butterfly valve.

The butterfly valve is controled by an actuator. There is a fuse in the fuse block that if pulled out, opens the valves at all times. They even make a device called a "Mild-to-Wild" switch so you can control the opening and closing via a remote transmitter or even your garage door button.

Anyways, that might help you discover if there is a way to keep the XFR valves open as well.

 

I may have to take a a little time to see if there is a safe way to keep the valve open. I like the idea of a little growl at low RPMs. It beats the cost of buying back boxes.

 

They sound nothing alike but they both sound great. The beauty of the exhaust on the supercharged is that it is perfect just the way it is, it doesn't need any help, it literally sounds like its ready for race. The premium model sounds more subdued but it performs very well and again, purrs beautifully.

 

I can't comment on the premium, but here's a clip of my 2010 XF Supercharged exhaust:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJxSmdFBSSo