Electric cars are better for the environment and cheaper to run. They’re gaining traction in many countries as governments strive for carbon neutrality. But one thing they don’t have on regular vehicles — that throaty roar that lights up the eyes of gearheads around the world.
Yamaha Motor Co. is working on a solution. Better known for its motorcycles and sharing historic ties with music instrument maker Yamaha Corp., the company is crafting a range of soundscapes to replicate the noise an internal combustion engine car makes upon acceleration.
Engineers at the division, called alive, believe sound is crucial for a driver to get a sense of control and speed. Many people prefer the classic vroom-vroom noise, but the sky’s the limit, according to Hideo Fujita, who is part of the team developing the soundscapes at Yamaha. "Even one that sounds like Star Wars” is possible, he said.