Nissan is trying to make its electrified vehicles sound more pleasant.
The Japanese automaker has introduced “Canto,” what it says is the future sound of its electrified vehicles. Derived from Latin for “I sing,” the sound varies in tone and pitch depending on whether the electrified Nissan vehicle accelerating, decelerating, or backing up. Depending on markets, Nissan says the sound is activated at speeds of up to 12 to 19 mph (20 to 30 km/h).
Having audible noises from electrified vehicles isn’t anything new, but it’s a lot more common in other markets such as Japan where pedestrians are plentiful. Since electrified vehicle don’t tend to make a lot of noise, the vehicle itself has to emit some sort of sound to warn pedestrians that a car is approaching.
SEE ALSO: Nissan’s IMx Zero-Emission Concept Revealed at 2017 Tokyo Motor Show
Nissan’s Canto was designed with the goal of developing an alert sound as the priority. But it’s also designed to “enrich the aural environment of the typical city street with a distinct Nissan flair,” the Japanese automaker said in a release. “The level of the sound will be clearly audible, without being overly disturbing to pedestrians, residents, and passengers.”
We’re not really sure what Nissan is talking about, because we’re clearly disturbed at the idea of an electric vehicle singing to us while it drives at low speeds.
Discuss this story on our Nissan Leaf Forum
The post Nissan’s EV Noise is the Scariest Thing You’ll Hear this Halloween appeared first on AutoGuide.com News.