Audi’s electric e-tron to get artificial sound

Posted on 3 November, 2010

Filed under: Technology, Audi, Electric

Audi e-tron

Audi e-tron concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

When cruising at 15.53 miles per hour or slower, an electric car runs virtually silent. Once over that speed, road noise and air moving over the car begin to become prevalent and the car can be “heard” as it travels down the road. That silent running is an intriguing part of the electric car world, but it’s problematic, mostly because those speeds are generally reserved for traffic-clogged cities, parking lots and other areas where pedestrian foot traffic meets automotive. If you are hard of hearing, you might not know that an electric car is heading your way as you step out into the street. Audi is working to prevent this, by incorporating an exterior sound system into its e-tron.

A team of acousticians is hard at work behind Ingolstadt’s closed doors. Their goal is to develop a sound that reflects the brand’s core values. But what does Audi sound like?

According to Christian Sch