The transition from ICE vehicles to EVs has been nothing but successful for most companies. However, not all vehicles are widely accepted by the public. Specifically, there is a level of concern from muscle car enthusiasts that things just aren’t going to be the same. EVs are fast, but they are smooth and quiet. Where muscle cars aren’t so smooth and typically set car alarms off with their low growls. So manufacturers are hitting back with their own solutions to help soothe these concerns.
Of course, the most noticable solution is making use of the external speakers that most EV models have for things like horn sounds and some kind of noise to compensate for the vehicles being too quiet–which created safety concerns.
Through these speakers, companies have been experimenting with all sorts of mock engine noises. Covering everything from mild whines to UFO sound effects. However, Dodge decided to mimic the sound of the Hellcat’s exhaust in its upcoming Charger Daytona SRT Concept so that users will feel more confident about their purchase (come time).
You can listen to some of the engine noises in the above video (about 2:18 into the video) as the driver revs the engine. From idle to rev, you get a digital reproduction of the Hellcat’s engine. It may not sound 100% like the real thing and carries its own digital twist, but I’m sure the option to turn it off will be made as well, in case you think the idea is a little gimmicky.
It’s an interesting idea, though, and one that I’m sure most everyone saw coming. But I can’t help but remind myself of the days of childhood where we all stuck soda cans in the spokes of our bicycles to make the ride sound cooler than it really was.
Only, in this case, the only thing you are compensating for is sound. As I am sure the coolness factor everywhere else will be quite legit thanks to the performance capabilities of the vehicles.
What do you think? Do you think mimicking the sound of the engine is enough to appease muscle car fans that are used to sitting behind these engines? Take to the comments below to share your own thoughts/comments and let us know. I am interested to know your thoughts.
