Opinion: Automakers sound off on unwanted noise

[Haltech]

Filed under: Etc., Technology

How New Cars Are Getting Better Through Sound Engineering

"The loudest sound you ever hear is the first rattle in a new car."

Fire up the new Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 and you're greeted with the sort of raucous exhaust note that would make a Harley-Davison owner quiver with delight. Slip inside a Lexus LS460 and it'll be nearly as quiet as a tomb.

While features like design and performance help define a brand, few things distinguish a product's character like sound. So, it's no surprise that manufacturers are putting more effort than effort into managing vehicle sound characteristics.

But, "It's not just about how loud a car is," suggests Kara Gordon, who oversaw noise-related work on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. "The quality of the sound also matters. And even little things can have a big impact on your perception of a vehicle," she says, suggesting, "The loudest sound you ever hear is the first rattle in a new car."

Paul A. Eisenstein is Publisher of TheDetroitBureau.com and a 30-year veteran of the automotive beat. His editorials bring his unique perspective and deep understanding of the auto world to Autoblog readers on a regular basis.

Continue reading Automakers sound off on unwanted noise

Automakers sound off on unwanted noise originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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