Fisker Karma to project jet turbine sound using speakers
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.
Gallery: Fisker Karma
[Source: Forbes Autos]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
paul34 5:18PM (3/13/2008)
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?
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tritonofg 5:43PM (3/13/2008)
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 5:47PM (3/13/2008)
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 6:43PM (3/13/2008)
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 6:45PM (3/13/2008)
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 12:46AM (3/14/2008)
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 11:10AM (3/14/2008)
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 5:20PM (3/13/2008)
No way I could ever drive around in a car that looks like it's wearing a silly mustache.
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ugg.tryptophan 5:58PM (3/13/2008)
what if it came equipped with a top hat...standard!
f3rg 6:59PM (3/13/2008)
Alright, I could do the top hat, but only if it came with a large feather.
Randy 10:56AM (3/14/2008)
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?
mk 6:02PM (3/13/2008)
Yet another reason that Aston Martin Rapide is so much more attractive than this.
Wow. dedicated speakers all over the place, just to sound fake. Nice job. Not.
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Edsel 5:22PM (3/13/2008)
YES!!!
I can make it sound "powered" by Rap!!!
....how original.
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BlackbirdHighway 5:24PM (3/13/2008)
I was hoping for that "playing cards in the spokes" sound.
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SPG 6:00PM (3/13/2008)
Nice, you rig that up and we'll go for a spin.
3seriesisking 5:25PM (3/13/2008)
What's wrong with making a silent car sound like a freakin' jet? It'll sound better than nothing at all won't it?
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hashiryu 5:26PM (3/13/2008)
rice?
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Andre 5:39PM (3/13/2008)
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...
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tritonofg 5:43PM (3/13/2008)
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.
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TwinTurbo3000GT 5:43PM (3/13/2008)
...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.
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