'Trumpets' will get F1 sound close to V8s - report

May 9 (GMM) 'Megaphone' exhausts will get this year's turbo V6s half-way to the volume of the popular V8s of last season.

At the post-race Spanish grand prix test next week, Mercedes will try a trumpet-like attachment to the exhaust that is designed to spice up the controversial sound of F1 2014.

"Initial tests have shown that the decibels are significantly increased," said Auto Motor und Sport correspondent Michael Schmidt.

Schmidt said the FIA has involved three acoustic engineers in the development of the megaphone solution, who have already tested it in their laboratories.

"The tail pipe is shaped like a trumpet or megaphone," he explained. "It changes not only the volume but the tone.

"Measurements have shown that the decibels will be half-way between the old V8 and the current V6 engines," added Schmidt.