For drivers used to roaring V8 engines, the silence of electric vehicles can be a bit jarring.
To compensate for this, a number of automakers have created a unique sound for their EVs. We’ve already seen this from BMW and Mercedes, and now Bose has introduced their first application of Electric Vehicle Sound Enhancement (EVSE) on the 2022 GMC Hummer EV.
We’ll be experiencing the truck and its electric symphony shortly, but Bose said EVSE technology “sends custom-designed propulsion sounds into the cabin through Bose speakers to refine and enhance the acoustic environment.”
Designed to help mask wind, road and tire noise, EVSE technology uses a proprietary Bose algorithm as well as data gathered from the vehicle. The companies have created a number of different sound profiles and in Normal driving the “sound is subtle, providing a layer of audio texture to the vehicle’s on-road performance.”
In Terrain Mode, there’s a “heavier bass tone to help keep the driver connected to the vehicle’s performance.” In particular, as the Hummer EV’s torque increases so does the sound.
In Off-Road Mode, a “deeper rumble is heard as the vehicle moves quickly across rough surfaces, such as dirt, gravel, and sand.”
EVSE technology is most noticeable when using the Hummer EV’s launch mode, which is known as Watts to Freedom. As the company explained, “a purposefully crafted mix of electric guitar riffs and feedback gradually builds anticipation as the Bose subwoofer creates vibrations and the vehicle uses its adaptive air suspension to lower its height and center of gravity. The sound then shifts, signaling when the vehicle is ready for takeoff before the driver can finally unleash the Hummer EV’s 1,000 hp (746 kW / 1,014 PS) and 11,500 lb-ft (15,574 Nm) of torque down the road.” Speaking of which, Watts to Freedom enables the 9,063 lbs (4,111 kg) truck to rocket from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in approximately three seconds.
Besides Electric Vehicle Sound Enhancement, the GMC Hummer EV comes equipped with a 14-speaker Bose surround sound system which features wide-range woofers in the front doors as well as a bass box under the rear seat. The latter allows sound to be “seen, heard, and felt like never before.”
We’ll have a lot more to say about the truck next month, but chief engineer Al Oppenheiser remarked, “The GMC Hummer EV offers sensory excitement along with incredible on- and off-road performance. The sense of sound is an important element, and we looked to our longtime partners at Bose for expertise in helping us balance the appropriate level of acoustic precision with driver input, yet not compromising the enjoyment of a near-silent EV experience.”
Keyword: GMC Hummer EV Features “Electric Vehicle Sound Enhancement” From Bose, Promises To Up Engagement