Ricardo has developed new engineering methods that – drawing upon the inherent acoustics of the powertrain of electric sports cars – will generate an authentic brand image ‘voice’ for this increasingly popular new vehicle type.
The system, which builds on the Realistic Augmented Sound by Ricardo (RASR) technology, uses sensors on the electric drivetrain to provide a live stream of authentic sound that is rich in information content, from both the electromagnetic forcing and gear meshes of the car’s driveline.
“Sports car customers are strongly influenced by the ‘voice’ of the vehicle and its impact on the emotion and excitement that it creates for the brand,” commented Ricardo NVH technical specialist Mathew Maunder.
“In many respects, the powertrain is part means of propulsion and part musical instrument, and the challenge for us is to make a responsive and rewarding acoustic performance – and one that resonates with drivers’ expectations of the sports car brand.
“By providing a voice that is truly authentic to the language of the car, we are taking the acoustic engineering of electric sports cars to a new level, where the electrified powertrain becomes something that really enhances the dynamic driving experience and brand image.”
July 4, 2017
