IS BMW routing fake engine noise through stereo in new M5?
Discussion
Stig said:
cjj799 said:
Apparently the Lexus LFA supercar has something like this, although not with the stereo. Engine and exhaust noise is "ducted" into the cabin so the driver gets to feel more involved.
The difference being the LFA noise is actually what's coming from the engine!I can sort of see the purist angle, but I don't think this is such a bad thing, really.
It means people like us can hoon round listening to a nice raucous V8, while the neighbours just hear another rather muffled modern executive saloon start in the morning. It also means when you don't want a raucous V8 any more and want a nice silent cruise you can turn it off. Of course, when you do it'll be even quieter than before because you can cut acoustic transmission of the sound down to a minimum now you're not relying on that to entertain keen drivers.
It's working in conjunction with a real sound source, so the sound isn't completely synthesised even if elements of it are.
Personally I love cars with a split personality - sensible family wagon one moment, hooning device the next - and surely that's the whole reasoning behind something like an M5? If you wanted a dedicated track car or B-road blaster you'd get something smaller and lighter, but this way you can combine that with a big sensible saloon.
It means people like us can hoon round listening to a nice raucous V8, while the neighbours just hear another rather muffled modern executive saloon start in the morning. It also means when you don't want a raucous V8 any more and want a nice silent cruise you can turn it off. Of course, when you do it'll be even quieter than before because you can cut acoustic transmission of the sound down to a minimum now you're not relying on that to entertain keen drivers.
It's working in conjunction with a real sound source, so the sound isn't completely synthesised even if elements of it are.
Personally I love cars with a split personality - sensible family wagon one moment, hooning device the next - and surely that's the whole reasoning behind something like an M5? If you wanted a dedicated track car or B-road blaster you'd get something smaller and lighter, but this way you can combine that with a big sensible saloon.
Mermaid said:
The future is synthetic.
You could argue the present is to a certain extent. Modern mass-produced engines sound the way they do because dozens of NVH engineers have used computer modelling and all sorts of other rather 'dry' techniques to meet pre-set targets defined by the management. It's not a cheery artisan with oily fingers tinkering in a garage somewhere.
The previous BMW system was along the lines of a resonance tube from the intake which goes to a chamber with a diaphragm that passes the noise into the cabin, but still has it kept sealed.
The idea behind it is good, but it might make BMW a bit of a laughing stock if the electronic version is true, and solely used on BMWs.
It'd be nice to get a stainless steel exhaust or a dump valve for £9.99 at HMV though.
The idea behind it is good, but it might make BMW a bit of a laughing stock if the electronic version is true, and solely used on BMWs.
It'd be nice to get a stainless steel exhaust or a dump valve for £9.99 at HMV though.
There are already a number of devices that produce electronic engine noises which align with your exisitng engine note, I have seen models that produce sounds based on Ferraris, Lambos, Porsche and Scooby, these sample the current engine noise (as in noise cancelling devices) and produce the equivalent in Porsche/etc speak.
I first saw this idea on 'Tomorrow's World' at least 25 years ago.
Dave
I first saw this idea on 'Tomorrow's World' at least 25 years ago.
Dave
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff