Ferrari’s first electric car coming next summer, reports Carscopeswith a top speed of 310 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.5 seconds.
“The Elettrica” will also have a large, high-density battery for a range of more than 530 km, ultra-fast DC charging up to 350 kW, and a capacity of 122 kWh and an energy density of 195 Wh/kg that Ferrari says is “the highest among production EVs.”
But what’s really interesting are the engine sounds:
Ferrari’s approach to the Elettrica’s sound differs artificial engine simulation. Instead, an inverter-mounted sensor detects the real mechanical vibrations of the powertrain, which are then amplified to create what the company describes as a natural, evolving tone that reflects how the car is driven… a reactive soundtrack. Antonio Palermo [Ferrari’s head of sound and vibration] calls it ‘language and connection’, a way to keep drivers emotionally involved in the car, without resorting to synthetic gimmicks…
Needless to say, how compelling this synthesized feedback will feel in practice, as much of Ferrari’s appeal has traditionally rested on the emotional impact of its combustion engines.
“The Torque Shift Engagement system offers five selectable levels of power and torque using the right paddle, while the left paddle adjusts braking intensity,” the article said.
But if the engine sounds are done right, argues the EV news site Electrek“I even think it might convince some car enthusiasts to give EVs a try,” .
Whether you like them or not, engine sounds are essential, especially in performance vehicles. They are part of the identity of certain cars – a kind of signature. They can be emotional. They can give a feeling of power. But otherwise it is information. The pitch, volume and texture of the engine sound provide the driver with critical, real-time feedback on the car’s speed, load and health.
Some electric car makers use composite soundscapes (like BMW with Hans Zimmer) or try to emulate V8 engines (like Dodge with its “Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust”)… Other car makers simply allow the natural sounds of the electric motors to remain. There’s nothing wrong with that. But since electric motors produce minimal noise, which is then enclosed in a metal housing, you rarely hear anything worth mentioning, especially in modern vehicles with quiet cabins and even active noise cancellation. For most electric vehicles this isn’t a problem, but for a performance electric vehicle it feels like something is missing…
Ferrari insists the sound will only be used if it is “functionally useful” to provide feedback to the driver and will be directly linked to pairing requests… The entire system has reportedly been developed in-house, giving Ferrari full control over the vehicle’s final acoustic signature… [T]hey embrace the new technology instead of hiding it. They make a confident statement that an electric powertrain can be emotionally compelling on its own terms, without having to pretend to be something it’s not…
If you prefer a completely silent drive, you can disable it.
Electrek’s conclusion? “The purists who were afraid that Ferrari would lose its soul in the EV transition should be encouraged by this.”
#Ferrari #announces #electric #sports #car #promises #real #engine #sounds #kind #Slashdot