Hey Guys, I know that the OPF laws are making European manufacturers quiet down the exhaust note, do you guys think that applies to us here in the US? I know that they’re not making a different exhaust for different territories but I also know they have software for countries like UAE to make the exhaust louder, will we get that here in the US? If not do you guys have any recommendations on what kind of bypass to use on the 2020 CLA45?

thanks in advance!

 

There's quite a bit of confusion around this topic. The OPF is not actually what is mainly responsible for the quieter exhausts. Independent of the OPF, the exhaust noise regulations in Europe are on an aggressive path to becoming quieter. It has started to become noticeable with some 2019 models to some extent, but the noise limits are becoming even tougher. In addition, the noise limits now have to be met with the exhaust valves open, which is probably the biggest hit to exhaust sound. Previously, the noise limits only had to be met with closed valves. This was the main reason for valved exhausts to even become a thing. It was a way for the manufacturers to meet the law, while still offering noiser exhausts to customers. Unfortunately, a few black sheep in Europe have made a sport out of driving around cities etc. with the valves open and as a consequence they ruined it for everybody and now the valved exhausts are becoming pointless, because as said they now have to meet noise limits while in loud mode.

The head of the AMG 45 development has recently given an interview and has said that they won't develop different exhausts for different markets. It's not feasible from a development costs perspective. Even different software has to be tested etc. However, as far as the OPF is concerned, at least for now it doesn't look like it's being put on cars for non-OPF markets. For example the 2019 C63S while it has the OPF in Europe, it doesn't have it in North America. It's showing up with its own option code on European build sheets, but it's not on US build sheets, and somebody on the C63 forums actually had their exhaust replaced, and posted pictures. There is no evidence of the OPF. There are only catalytic converters.

Long story short, don't expect things to be different for markets outside of Europe, and eventually I think the OPF will be on all models. AMG will continue with their real sound feature to pump real engine sound into the cabin, while the external sound level will get quieter. I forgot the timeline, but the full noise regulation becomes fully effective sometime around 2024 I believe, and the allowed decibel level is significantly lower than it used to be. BTW, the noise levels still mostly apply to 4000 rpm and below. The cars can be louder at higher rpms. On many newer AMGs like my C63S the pops&bangs are non-existent at lower rpms, but if I drive the car hard and above 4000 rpm it pops&bangs. Basically the noise level is now more tied to the real driving situation, which I personally prefer.

 

thank you for the detailed response, it helps a lot. I was going to do European delivery on my new CLA45, now with everything happening around the world I’m not sure if that’s going to happen. But I wanted to know more about the exhaust note good to know that above 4000 RPM the poops and bangs are still there. I know the first generation CLA45 had a lot and it would be a bummer if the new one doesn’t. But this is the world we live in now so it’s okay haha.

 

Yeah, European Delivery is in limbo for this year I would say. Perhaps second half of the year at best. I do hope the program doesn't get cancelled due to the financial impact this crisis has on the car manufacturers and others. Audi has cancelled their European Delivery program as of end of 2018 citing increased globalization of their manufacturing plants, but word on the street is that it was due to financial reasons stemming from the diesel scandal. I'm glad I did my European Delivery last year.

 

Yeah I heard that about Audi, I just called and had to have my car get scheduled for delivery to the US, I was supposed to pick it up May 1 in Germany. But currently Germany isn’t letting people in the country most of the flights are cancelled and the US is on mandatory social distancing and lock down until April 30th. So it doesn’t look like my European delivery is going to happen. Very bummed but im still excited to get the car maybe even earlier than I thought.

 

hey I am a new user here and really liked your question. I have a deposit since February for my cla45 and still so set date. But hoping to get a better deal now. It’s also a huge bummer to not have the exhaust like the old cla 45 but no videos of the us models have been posted to hear so we can hope for the best