Bentley's new Torcal EV crossover will ditch traditional faux engine noises for a more unique sound, featuring an onboard drum track. The company measured its most famous combustion engines and determined that the way to replace that soundtrack was old-fashioned percussion. A modern EV can sound like anything, presenting both potential and a problem for manufacturers, especially one like Bentley aiming to deliver a premium experience.
Unlike the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, which synthesizes the pops and bangs of a tuned-up hot-hatchback turbo four-cylinder, Bentley took inspiration from its past combustion engine offerings but chose not to replicate their sounds digitally. Instead, the new Torcal will offer a drum solo when you hit the accelerator. Bentley picked apart the sounds of its 1930s inline-sixes, rumbling six-and-three-quarters V-8s, and the sonically complex W-12 to find a commonality.
View Price on AmazonWhat engineers found is a similarity between the thump of a four-cycle pulse expelling exhaust and the strike of a drumstick hitting the skins of a bass drum. Bentley is looking to take the rock 'n' roll rhythm a little more upscale by blending in a frisson of stringed instruments to go with the thump and bass line, hoping to offer its clients a more orchestral experience. The general idea is also to introduce a slight, nearly imperceptible stumble to the sound, in the same way that a human drummer is neither a metronome nor a Roland TR-808.
There are doubtless plenty of Bentley customers who would prefer their vehicles to leave the soundtrack off and instead just offer a whisper-quiet cabin that doesn't impinge on listening to music. However, obsessing over how their products sound is going to be a large part of how all luxury automakers differentiate themselves going forward. One noted collector of vintage Bentleys is none other than AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson, who owns a 1928 4.5L Vanden Plas.
Source: caranddriver.com
