My 230 Kompressor has the same principle regarding air intake. The sealed filter box has a hose that sits right behind the front grille so it sucks air straight front the front.
I replaced my factory induction box/ kit with a Green Coton single cone induction kit. I wasn;t expecting vast HP increases but it certainly seems alot more eager (throttle response). The supercharger is also alot more audiable!!
Regarding air intake quality:
I agree that the majority of air is now drawn from the engine bay but what I have done is also keep the original intake hose (behind the grille) attached to the car. This hose is curved and aims straight towards where the new cone filter is positioned. So although not sucking the air from the front, it is getting air from the front blasted in it's direction.
The cone filter is also able to draw in alot more air than the original hose. The original hose (the sole source of air for the engine) is no bigger than the base of a mug ( I know you guys probably have 2 with your bigger engined cars) whereas the cone filter has it's entire surface to draw in air.
Can't say that the car has "loads more pwer" but it was a cheap mod, and the car seems to like wearing it.
You could get one and if you don't like it, put the old one back on.
I have had no problems at all.
Just make sure you maintain the filter properly though.
Hope this is of some use to you.
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