On the Renault Clio, you can already choose the kind of engine noise you want from a menu.
They could monetize that with microtransactions. 99c to download and install "1968 Ferrari Dino" or "Anakin's Podracer".
The rise of fake engine noise
21–30 of 303 posts
Re: The rise of fake engine noise
#22I drive a Leaf and a Volt, both technically electric cars. The sprinting power of an electric is pretty good, I often take modded civics off the line (stoplight) in the Leaf; the point being that electric cars can quickly move to a spot you don't anticipate them. The Volt has a 'pedestrian warning horn' that, when engaged by the driver, gently and rapidly beeps the horn to draw attention to the Volt. Since it is engaged by the driver, however; it does little if the driver isn't paying attention.
As a cyclist, I enjoy having good situational awareness, and electric cars can definitely be surprising when they pass you. Overall, though I enjoy the super quiet ride, I think we should require some warning noise (engine noise seems like a nice option) to alert other to the oncoming car. It makes it safer for the driver because people are less likely to do something unexpected, and safer for the other people because they have better situational awareness.
Perhaps when automated car drivers are the norm, we can move to silent cars; since they will be more vigilant than a person could ever be.
Re: The rise of fake engine noise
#23I want the Jetsons' car sound. My bother wants a Star Wars TIE fighter and my father in law would like the sound of a B-17, please.
Re: The rise of fake engine noise
#24I hate the idea of a fake engine noise, but I drive a manual transmission and I know I use my ears a lot to know when to shift.
From what I've read, that wouldn't be relevant for an electric vehicle, since there is no transmission. Or that might only be for the Tesla.
Literally the entire reason for the transmission for a combustion engine is to make the relatively high minimum speed of an internal combustion work for lower road speeds, with the pleasant side effect of increasing torque at low speed.
Electric motors have no need for one, because they have both variable speeds and generally tremendous amounts of torque to start with.
Re: The rise of fake engine noise
#25I have no problem with manufacturers including fake engine noise as a feature as long as it can be disabled by the customer.
Re: The rise of fake engine noise
#26This reminds me of Kornbluth's story 'The Marching Morons' where cars are made noisy but slow so the morons will be stimulated but safe.
Re: The rise of fake engine noise
#27While maybe it's silly to do it electronically, thousands of people switch out the exhausts on their cars/motorcycles not often for increases in performance... but to have a different sound.
Doing it electronically is new, but the concept of wanting a more 'powerful' sounding engine isn't.
Re: The rise of fake engine noise
#28While maybe it's silly to do it electronically, thousands of people switch out the exhausts on their cars/motorcycles not often for increases in performance... but to have a different sound. Doing it electronically is new, but the concept of wanting a more 'powerful' sounding engine isn't.
That's still derided by enthusiasts when it's taken to extremes, for instance a loud exhaust on an economy car fools no-one and will draw negative attention from most people. But below trying-too-hard territory, it is an authentic-feeling unleashing of your vehicle's inner beast, which is something the sound effects system will never be.
Re: The rise of fake engine noise
#29"Federal safety officials expect to finalize rules later this year requiring all hybrid and electric cars to play fake engine sounds to alert passersby, a change that experts estimate could prevent thousands of pedestrian and cyclist injuries."
My guess is that the main force behind this law is Big Oil using their lobbyists to slow the adoption of electric vehicles. If they were really concerned about pedestrians being hit by cars it would be illegal to wear headphones while walking.
Instead of adding noise, which we already have too much of (I can hear cars on roads a mile away from my house) how about they require cars to send out a signal that an inexpensive device can pick up and thus locate the car. That way any pedestrian can actually see where all the cars are around them. I bet that kind of proactive action would have much better results then depending on people's inadvertent attention to background noise.
Re: The rise of fake engine noise
#30100 years from now cars will still make a vestigial sound that is simply taken for granted and not really considered until some wise-ass at a party starts in "Funny story..."