While electric vehicles are on the rise, one of the things that clearly distinguishes them from IC (internal combustion) engine powered automobiles, is the absence of exhausts. Turn the ignition key or press the start/stop button on any fossil fuel run car, and the exhaust broadcasts the sound of the engine firing and springing to life. This is completely absent in an EV, and if you don’t look at the dash display, you won’t even know that the electric motor has been switched on.

To me what is even more essential is the sound or note of the exhaust.  Yes, all exhausts make some amount of sound, including modern ones that are more silent. Moreover, if the exhaust is well tuned and mated to an energetic engine, it not only has a sonorous note, but you can almost feel every movement and breathe of the engine and when and how it inhales the mixture of air and fuel, and exhales the after combustion vapours.

If you are a car guy, or a complete car nut like me, then being able to control this rate of respiration or pace of combustion and the resultant rpm (revolutions per minute) of the engine, can become extremely involving and so addictive, that you might want to sing along with The Police and Sting, “Every breath you take, and every move you make …”.

Unfortunately, the death warrant of the internal combustion engine has been issued and it appears that in time to come, we auto enthusiasts will be denied the pleasures and joy of listening to the sonorous song and magical melody of a well-engineered and finely tuned exhaust system.

As most car buffs know, tuning exhausts and getting the right sound or note from the manifolds, mufflers, pipes, etc, is akin to an art and something that companies like AMG have built their business and reputation on. Ferrari is also famed for their symphonic sound and engines that allow you to conduct your own orchestra and revel in a personal concert. A finely tuned exhaust that faithfully and fluently vocalizes the music of an engine on song is also a great driving partner. It can lift the mood of the driver and enhance the entire driving experience, especially when are you flooring it.

Just like several famed singers are known and revered for their voices, many a car is known by its trademark exhaust note. In fact this signature sound or signature harmonics, are an integral part of their identity. How its sounds when it starts, the burbles, the gurgles, purrs and drone. The manner in which it roars while accelerating, and the pops and crackles when you liftoff. For some drivers (including me) the 0 to 100 time, or the top speed, is nowhere as important as the sound of the car when it wakes up, and after it starts making its moves. And what’s more, your friends, or the envious others, will hear the powerful exhaust note long before they see your wheels.

Sadly all this is set to be confined to the history books. A good exhaust system doesn’t just discharge the waste gases and leftovers of combustion; it can also be a vital component of a cars character. But the use of an exhaust as a styling element is also destined to disappear. That is if the designers of EVs don’t use false or faux ones, which is very possible in the increasingly false and make belief world we live in. But even then I doubt if they will be able to match the magic of the real thing. Where and how the mufflers are housed. The exit or peeping point of the tailpipe. Its diameter, the tailpipe tips, all can undermine or add to the aesthetics and looks of a vehicle.

Most Indian auto journo’s first view a car from the front and speak of the grille, headlights and so on. I like to begin my visual journey from the rear and prefer to look at what most people will see when I pass them. And if the designers have given due importance to the exhaust and it complements the vehicles styling, then people might just go wow, when they see it disappearing into the distance.  Some sports cars also have multiple exhaust pipes sticking out of their backs like cannons, and the really powerful ones even split flames. Seriously. Bite on that you EV wallah’s, and burn with envy. And yes, feel free to call me an “Exhaust Fan” (sic), because “Oh Darling, Yeh Hai India”.

Photos Courtesy – Nick Thomas, Joseph Greve, Max Lederer, Mad Visual, Oscar-Sutton, Serjan Midili, Courtney Cook and Lawrence Hookham on Unsplash.