Hi, We have just acquired a New 500L Trekking with the 0.9 twin air engine, I would like to ask :- When accelerating in first and second gear it sounds like it has a blown exhaust, and is VERY noisy inside the car? is this normal for this engine? it does quieten down as you go further up the box, we have owned diesel cars for the last 10 odd years, so thought this would be quieter.

It has its own unique sound and vibrates the cabin a little but it isn't that loud unless you are accelerating very hard... in which case your fuel economy will be truly terrible.
Diesel aren't that loud either imo since the peak torque is at such low revs, just another unique sound... tend to rattle a bit when cold.

Welcome to 500L ownership

Yes it's noisy when you accelerate hard.
But remember to watch your rpm's. The engine sounds like it's running on 2000rpm when it's actually doing 4000rpm.

Terje

ronthebodge said:

Hi, We have just acquired a New 500L Trekking with the 0.9 twin air engine, I would like to ask :- When accelerating in first and second gear it sounds like it has a blown exhaust, and is VERY noisy inside the car? is this normal for this engine? it does quieten down as you go further up the box, we have owned diesel cars for the last 10 odd years, so thought this would be quieter.

Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum:-

I think it is what is called a 'characteristic' of that particular engine. They are well known for that rather distinct noise under acceleration, in fact it's what a lot of owners like about it particularly in the 500 as it is more reminiscent of the original air cooled engine in the classic 500 (Or so some say).

I have driven a 500 Twin Air and quite like it but that was a loan vehicle so I'm not sure if the novelty wouldn't wear off, particularly as we do a fair few motorway/autoroute jaunts over the year.

As a general point our 1.4 FIRE is also quite noisy under acceleration so I don't think the L's cabin is as well insulated as it could be from engine noise.