VIDEO: Fisker Karma Pedestrian Warning Sound
#1
12-06-2011, 10:46 AM
VIDEO: Fisker Karma Pedestrian Warning Sound 
VIDEO: Fisker Karma Pedestrian Warning Sound
This is rather interesting as I often wondered about the dangers a pedestrian may face if they are not really paying attention, or perhaps jay-walking and not hearing a hybrid sneak up on them. Well the folks over at Inside Line must have been curious as well and lucky for us they filmed a a short clip of the Karma entering the Edmunds garage.
According to the report: "This sound only happens in EV mode at speeds under 25 mph. Volume and pitch rises and falls with speed to a subtle yet effectve extent, and it fades down, but not out, at idle"
Source Inside Line
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwcz0PuRyVQ
Here I'm driving a 2012 Fisker Karma into a shop while my friend Scott shot a short video clip. The Fisker Karma is a plug-in hybrid that can run as an electric vehicle part of the time. Such silent running can pose a threat to pedestrians who don't hear it coming, and regulations to require EVs and plug-in hybrids to make some sort of noise are being drawn up.
Even though the regulation isn't final, Fisker went ahead and developed a system of their own, and they've tried to make that sound as futuristic as the car itself. Speakers at the front and back of the car produce a noise whenever the car is operating in electric mode at any speed below 25 mph.
To me it sounds like a combination of Tron lightcycle, the 2001 monolith noise, the Droid phone commercial sound, and a squadron of P-51 Mustangs banking overhead.You may not pick out the subtlety in this video because the car is entering a garage where the noise echoes around, making it sound louder than it is. That said, no one's going to miss it, and it is loud enough to be heard from inside the car at a low background level.
Even though the regulation isn't final, Fisker went ahead and developed a system of their own, and they've tried to make that sound as futuristic as the car itself. Speakers at the front and back of the car produce a noise whenever the car is operating in electric mode at any speed below 25 mph.
To me it sounds like a combination of Tron lightcycle, the 2001 monolith noise, the Droid phone commercial sound, and a squadron of P-51 Mustangs banking overhead.You may not pick out the subtlety in this video because the car is entering a garage where the noise echoes around, making it sound louder than it is. That said, no one's going to miss it, and it is loud enough to be heard from inside the car at a low background level.
#6
12-06-2011, 12:39 PM
Can you ask me another question? Like, what do I think of the new 991? Do I think it'll sell out?
Do I like gummi bears? And of course, do I think Unicorns exist?
Those sorts of questions.....
Do I like gummi bears? And of course, do I think Unicorns exist?
Those sorts of questions.....
#9
12-06-2011, 12:49 PM
IDK but it would be a HELL of a lot of fun trying!!
I will say this. The car is stunning LOOKING. Aside from that, no, I don't think it's fit and finish is up to the caliber of its competitors- Mercedes Benz, Porsche, BMW and Audi. Sure the car is entirely different and yes, it looks fantastic. But no, I don't thinks a value at $100,000. But then again, there are so many other reasons why people are buying this car.
I'm just not interested in it.
I will say this. The car is stunning LOOKING. Aside from that, no, I don't think it's fit and finish is up to the caliber of its competitors- Mercedes Benz, Porsche, BMW and Audi. Sure the car is entirely different and yes, it looks fantastic. But no, I don't thinks a value at $100,000. But then again, there are so many other reasons why people are buying this car.
I'm just not interested in it.
#10
12-09-2011, 06:50 PM
I saw one with dealer plates a couple weeks ago. Car looks stunning but I agree that it is an enormous effort to make a car with Audi/Mercedes etc. Fit and finish levels from what is a start up company.
It's a ver innovative machine though.
It's a ver innovative machine though.