- The German brand could add sounds, vibrations, and smells to future EVs.
- A patent also describes windshield graphics and synthetic turbo lag.
- Like Hyundai and Ferrari, Audi wants to make its EVs more entertaining to drive.
One of the best things about electric cars is how remarkably smooth and quiet they are. A sense of calm washes over you as you drive a good EV, as you no longer have to worry about jerky gear shifts or an unpleasant engine rattling away. These attributes make EVs great for regular consumers who use cars as nothing more than a means of transport. But for driving enthusiasts like us, electric cars don’t usually get us excited. Audi might have the answer.
A patent filed by the company with the German Patent and Trade Mark Office describes several different systems that could boost the engagement of driving an EV. Loads of other car manufacturers have already done this, most notably Hyundai N with its fake dual-clutch transmission and ICE-inspired audio systems. More recently, Porsche, Mercedes-AMG, and Ferrari have all launched EVs with a similar focus on driving thrills.
Read: AUDI’s E7X Is Bigger Than A Q7 And Cheaper Than A Q3
The first piece of tech that Audi has patented relates to sounds and vibrations. It could add a physical connection from the powertrain directly to the cabin, transmitting vibrations to the driver and passengers. Additionally, less sound deadening could be used to amplify those mechanical noises we all love, and Audi may even let EV owners rev their cars by decoupling the electric motor, Car and Driver reports. Pump in some artificial sounds and it might be possible to develop and build an EV that traditional gearheads would actually want to drive.
Audi’s ideas don’t stop here. By tweaking a car’s software, it could add in synthetic turbo lag, giving EVs a more traditional driving feel without the instant power we’ve all come to expect. Engineers from the German brand have even started dreaming up ways to create scents that’ll get drivers excited. If you want to cruise, a scent could be pumped into the cabin to calm you, or a more evocative smell could fill the car when you stamp down the throttle.
An advanced projection system has also been envisioned, allowing exciting displays to be projected onto the windshield. While we could see something like this appealing to the younger, gaming generation, we suspect it may be a little too distracting for some motorists. As always, there’s no guarantee that any of the technologies that Audi is looking to patent will become a reality, but we’re hopeful at least some will.
