Hyundai has developed artificial engine sounds for electric vehicles (video)
Although electric vehicles have artificial noises, Hyundai is trying to make them sound exciting for its first N model to ditch the internal combustion engine.
The new Ioniq 5 N teaser video shows the high-performance electric crossover on the streets of Seoul as well as on the track at the company’s Namyang R&D center.
For the first time, we get a sense of what Hyundai meant when it said the sports electric vehicle would have a “virtual shift mode” by pulling on the paddles behind the steering wheel to artificially shift gears. Executive Technical Advisor Albert Biermann previously mentioned that the idea is to mimic the downshift jolts and vibrations you get from the i30 N equipped with a dual-clutch automatic transmission.
As for the noises you hear, they’re part of N Sound Plus to mimic the raspy exhaust of a sports car with a traditional engine. At some point, we even hear crackles and bumps, but perhaps the most realistic noise is when the driver downshifts and the revs rise. Artificially, of course. If that doesn’t interest you, Hyundai said that future wireless updates will allow owners to upload their own fake sounds.
In addition to the stunts, which also include the drift mode briefly demonstrated in this video, the Ioniq 5 N will get standard all-wheel drive with dual motors, delivering a total output of approximately 600 horsepower. It also receives an evolution of Hyundai’s battery technology with improved energy density without physically increasing the size of the unit.
Hyundai has already announced that it will showcase the Ioniq 5 N at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in mid-July, with sales likely to begin by the end of the year. As for the price, get ready to shell out more money than the $61,600 Kia wants for the EV6 GT.
