BMW’s Sonic Revolution

Sound Matters

When it comes to cars, folks often get caught up in how they look or perform, but there’s something to be said about how they sound too. BMW is venturing into some new territory by focusing not just on the driving mechanics of their upcoming Neue Klasse vehicles but also on how these cars sound to the driver. This new direction could very well redefine the emotional connection people have with their EVs. BMW’s team is peeling back layers to add real depth to the electric vehicle experience with a specially crafted auditory landscape.

Bespoke Sounds

The sound engineers over at BMW are not just tinkering around with a handful of noises. Instead, they’re forging an entire sound universe for their Neue Klasse lineup, focusing on both Personal Mode and Sport Mode. What BMW calls the HypersonX platform includes an incredible array of 43 finely tuned “sound signals” that change based on the driving scenario, whether you’re cruising down a highway or maneuvering through a snarl of city traffic. That means more than just a series of beeps and chimes but a canyon of sounds aimed at making driving more immersive.

The Creation Process

In building this audiological experience, BMW has designed a new control unit for the Neue Klasse, mixing some top-notch hardware with innovative software. The idea, as BMW Creative Director Renzo Vitale suggests, is to instill each vehicle with a sound profile that harnesses the trio of precision, warmth, and lightness to foster a direct emotional bond between driver and machine. A touch of art, a bit of science, and a whole lot of nature-inspired this sonic concoction, mixing familiar BMW tones with brand-new frequencies.

When setting up this sound palette, BMW didn’t just throw a couple of sounds together. They generated over nine million possible sound combinations using an algorithm built on BMW’s “sound DNA.” This ambitious mix was boiled down to create what they hope is a truly multi-dimensional soundscape for drivers.

In-Car Experience

What BMW envisions with HypersonX is more than just finely tuned sounds—it’s part of a bigger picture. The system emphasizes middle and low-frequency tones, working together with the car’s lighting and interior design to set the right mood and atmosphere inside the car. BMW describes it as creating a pleasant driving experience, potentially soothing enough to keep drivers calm and focused.

What’s fascinating is that it’s not just synthetic sounds in play. Employees from BMW’s Sound Studio used their own voices, adding a human touch by including isolated tones and melodies contributed by a choir. This unique approach could make for an even deeper connection, as the human voice carries its own unique charm.

Concluding Thoughts

Ultimately, BMW seems to be pioneering sound into a key feature of the EV experience—not just as background noise but as a defining characteristic. This approach could set the standard for how quiet electric vehicles make a statement. For anyone who’s been in a BMW EV, those unique tones are like the car’s calling card, and their distinctiveness adds to the personality of the drive. By investing in sound, BMW is crafting a nuanced and personal driving experience that’s as innovative as it is memorable. Approaching it this way, BMW might just make sounds as critical to car design as the horsepower under the hood.