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5 comments
"Warning: this vehicle is going forward "
"Warning: this vehicle is reversing "
"Warning: this vehicle *exists*"
Are they going to change all the rules about not using your horn, too, to deal with this? Or maybe ban headphones so everyone has to walk around listening to a phone clipped to their belt like some teenager...?
Worth noting that a very large number of conventional cars already have engine sound augmentation. Customers like their cars to make vroom vroom noises, and modern fuel efficient engines leave them feeling a little... inadequate.
I'd say those who really appreciate a good engine note are few and far between. If you've ever heard a BRM V16 you'll know what I mean. That or a Honda RC149. THE NOISE, THE GLORIOUS NOISE! Those Renaults with sound effects just replace the standard shitty Renault noises with some other noises of shitty famous Renaults.
If you want a petrolhead car with petrolhead noise you don't buy a small car and expect it sound decent. They never did anyway unless you tuned the arse off them. Then again my 1275GT mini used to sound great with weber carbs on and a cherry bomb exhaust. No guesses what I spent my money on in my youth.
It's not sound fx, it's sound augmentation. Audi, BMW, VW, Ford, Porsche etc. Almost every manufacturer has introduced it and they had to start with the high end to disguise the engine changes. Most owners know nothing about it, it's come about just in the last few years and the industry doesn't much like to publicise it.
My car - when I have to drive - is a 1970 Beetle, and you can diagnose problems just by the engine noise (there's a whole CD of it - google John Muir Volkswagen sounds).
When you have to ride in a modern car you can't tell if the engine's running: modern cars are too quiet, IMO.