Bmw to add artificial sounds to its electric vehicles

It appears that Bmw has to make a big decision whether to add artificial sounds to its electric vehicles in order to make them safer and protect the pedestrians. According to our sources, Bmw’s main rivals Audi and Mercedes-Benz already started to develop brand-specific sounds. Bmw spokesman Tobias Hahn confirmed the fact that the electric cars developed by the Bavarian manufacturer (MINI and Bmw) are currently not carrying any active sound systems capable to add artificial noise at low speeds.
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BondMI6 - 1/6/2011 1:12:27 AM

+3 Boost

Hmmmm..........

I'll take an electric M3 with the Ferrari 599 GTO sound package.

Whelan - 1/6/2011 7:56:14 AM

+2 Boost

Something else for me to laugh at on the road.

Steve - 1/6/2011 9:48:41 AM

+1 Boost

I've read studies that the sound the *driver* hears in their car plays a significant role in how they perceive their car. Researchers deadened the real engine's sound, and piped in recordings linked to the accelerator pedal. Results: Drivers in small engine cars that heard muscle-car V8 sounds perceived the car as more desirable, and more powerful than it actually was. Similarly, drivers with powerful but silent engines who heard the sound of a small-displacement 4-cyl engine, felt less enamored with the car, and felt it could use more power.

This type of research tells us several things about us humans. It explains why companies like BMW work so hard on tuning the auditory experience to depict a sense of power moderated by muted luxury. It also tells us why some people intensely dislike hybrids and electrics, even though their performance numbers may exceed those of internal combustion counterparts.

supermoto - 1/6/2011 10:02:47 AM

+1 Boost

This article is a bit behind the times. Law now will require sounds from these cars.

See "Obama signs law to require 'quiet' cars to get noisier" from the Detroit News Auto Insider.

mpls - 1/6/2011 4:17:08 PM

+1 Boost

The Prius in Japan is already required to produce an artificial sound above what it normally produces because when it runs on electric only it is relavtively too quiet.. BMW