VW have offered the Eos in diesel, I think…?
Regarding sound – 6+ cyl diesels have always sounded nice. it’s only the 4 cyl ones that have tended towards rattly.
And as for petrol engines not sounding good? – 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8+ cyl engines all have their own characteristics.
4s can sound fairly mundane, but can also sound pretty good under power. The old Peugeot XU9 JA/K from 205 / 309 GTi sounded nice and raspy under power… Subaru’s flat 4 engine sounds pretty distinctive… Honda’s V4 also makes a lovely noise.
Love the slightly offbeat turbine like wail of a 5 cyl. Always fancied a Fiat Coupe for the 2.0l 20v engine.