You Know What Grinds My Gears? Incorrect Engine Sounds In Films

Call me pedantic, but I really hate it when the wrong engine sound is dubbed over a car in films. Whether it’s because of a lack of care, budget or knowledge during the film’s production, the end result is always me getting annoyed while the vast majority of people don’t notice.

I find myself having to explain at length why something is wrong and why it irritates me, which is usually followed by a blank stare or a response of ‘cool story bro.’

To illustrate my frustration, here are five unforgivable examples of film engine sound gaffs.

The A-Team - Lamborghini Diablo

As car guys, we all know the Lamborghini Diablo is a V12-powered machine. Not this one, as the makers of the 2010 A-Team film decided to dub over the noise of a V10, probably assuming that all Lambos will sound like a Gallardo…

Kick Ass 2 - Ducati Paniagle

OK, it’s not a car, but as a former biker, this one really aggravated me. Ducati is famous for using V-twins in most of its bikes, and the Panigale superbike is one such machine. But instead of a V-twin, we’re treated to a high-revving four-pot. The steaming turd on top of what’s already a rubbish film.

Ronin - Audi S8

Even Ronin, one of the best car chase films ever made, managed to get it wrong. The first-generation Audi S8 has a 4.2-litre V8, yet the S8 in the film sounds suspiciously like it has six cylinders, not eight.

Drive - Chevrolet Monte Carlo NASCAR

In this scene from Drive we hear a wheezy four-pot on the outside, but on the inside, the sound switches to a six-pot. Wut?

The Transporter - BMW 735i

The makers of The Transporter made what was - according to Jason Statham’s character - a BMW 735i sound like several different things in different parts of the film. In some scenes it even sounds a bit like a four-pot single-seater racecar - but at no point like a 3.5-litre V8 like it should be. About as realistic as Statham’s American accent…

So, what do you guys think, am I hopelessly pedantic, or do these sort of mistakes annoy you too?