Click above for more high-res images of the Fisker Karma
Every automaker realizes that they need to make their vehicles consume less gas, reduce emissions and lessen their overall effect on the environment. One obvious way to make this happen is to go electric, but that solution poses its own host of problems. One potential sticking-point is that many drivers love the way their car sounds and have gotten used to the underhood roar and scintillating exhaust note of an internal combustion engine. But, what if your electric car sounded ''like something between a Formula One car and a jet plane?"
That's exactly what Henrik Fisker plans to do with his new Karma, a hybrid sedan which can travel up to 50 miles before the engine needs to kick in and recharge the batteries. To make sure that everyone inside and out can hear the F1-car-slash-jet-turbine note, speakers have been placed strategically around the vehicle, both in the interior and on the exterior. A novel, if not obvious solution, but we doubt it's going to have the same effect no matter how well it's executed.
[Source: Forbes Autos]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
paul34 @ Mar 13th 2008 5:18PM
Umm, so they are implementing their version of a Vroombox?
Am I missing something here or are they seriously going to implement something so cheesy, so corny, and so incredibly stupid? And on a Fischer for crying out loud.
What?
tritonofg @ Mar 13th 2008 5:43PM
Paul34,
Try using that pile of ground meat behind your eyes...Idiot. One problem that has arisen from the use of Hybrid/Electric Cars on the road is that lack of noise they make at intersections as people who are BLIND use the engine noise to determine if cars are stopped and if they are moving what direction they are moving in.
paul34 @ Mar 13th 2008 5:47PM
Hmm, well, I suppose that the fact you have not thought your post through is evidence enough of your lack of maturity - but the childish insult made it clear enough. Maybe you might want to graduate middle school first, ok?
At any rate, perhaps you have not heard many modern vehicles. Cruising at speeds on streets where pedestrians also are, most cars do not make much noise already other than tire noise, which any car - regardless of tire-connected motor choice - will have.
While the increased silence is a concern, it isn't anything new. Being blind and crossing a street without assistance is still going to be fundamentally risky, no matter how one tries to portray it.
tritonofg @ Mar 13th 2008 6:43PM
The noise from ICE at idle is still far more than an electric motor that is not spinning.
It is true that most modern cars have reduced noise levels INSIDE the passenger to the piont where road noise (tires) are now the main complaints from people. Outside of the car, the motor of a car can be heard quite clearly. I know...I walk around LA during the afternoon rush hour. try getting oput of your car and listening.
paul34 @ Mar 13th 2008 6:45PM
That's fine, but you are not taking into account that the "danger" here - a moving, cruising vehicle - is not going to exhibit that engine noise you believe is there. Tire noise quickly is more than an engine purring at cruising, city street speed.
PJ @ Mar 14th 2008 12:46AM
I'm sorry but this is such a "duh," tritonofg.
What you hear when a vehicle passes at anything over 10 mph--unless it's a Harley, muscle car, modded Civic, or other loud-for-the-sake-of-being-loud chest wig--is tire rush and air displacement.
Many hybrids (Honda's, GM's "mild" ones) can't even accelerate without their ICEs running, and even those that can still whine and whoosh as they're regen-braking to a stop (and usually use both power sources to accelerate, unless it's parking-lot-gentle acceleration).
3seriesisking @ Mar 14th 2008 11:10AM
PJ's right. I don't remember where I saw the study but whoever did it concluded that 70-80% of all road noise is air escaping from beneath the tires.
f3rg @ Mar 13th 2008 5:20PM
No way I could ever drive around in a car that looks like it's wearing a silly mustache.
ugg.tryptophan @ Mar 13th 2008 5:58PM
what if it came equipped with a top hat...standard!
f3rg @ Mar 13th 2008 6:59PM
Alright, I could do the top hat, but only if it came with a large feather.
Randy @ Mar 14th 2008 10:56AM
That's funny! LOL... I was trying to place that look! Isn't that the mustache on one of the boxers in the game Punch Out?
Edsel @ Mar 13th 2008 5:22PM
YES!!!
I can make it sound "powered" by Rap!!!
....how original.
BlackbirdHighway @ Mar 13th 2008 5:24PM
I was hoping for that "playing cards in the spokes" sound.
SPG @ Mar 13th 2008 6:00PM
Nice, you rig that up and we'll go for a spin.
3seriesisking @ Mar 13th 2008 5:25PM
What's wrong with making a silent car sound like a freakin' jet? It'll sound better than nothing at all won't it?
hashiryu @ Mar 13th 2008 5:26PM
rice?
Andre @ Mar 13th 2008 5:39PM
Makes sense, If an electric car will not make any noise when driving would pose a threat to people who rely on sounds to hear a car coming or going...
zamafir @ Mar 13th 2008 5:42PM
And in one single stroke i have lost all respect for fisker and this project.
tritonofg @ Mar 13th 2008 5:43PM
Try using that pile of ground meat behind your eyes...Idiot. One problem that has arisen from the use of Hybrid/Electric Cars on the road is that lack of noise they make at intersections as people who are BLIND use the engine noise to determine if cars are stopped and if they are moving what direction they are moving in.
TwinTurbo3000GT @ Mar 13th 2008 5:43PM
...worst idea ever.
sorry, but electric vehicles come with advantages and drawbacks. want to spend less on gas? gotta give up the throughty exhaust note (among other things).
Just let it be what it is.