It will be a sad day when the sound of a V-8 or V-12 screaming is no longer associated with a modern Ferrari. However, with some governments pushing to ban internal-combustion engines, automakers, including exotic brands like Ferrari, are making plans to switch their lineups to electric vehicles.
EVs have proven to be fast, and their disadvantages such as weight and slow charge times should only be improved over time. However, part of the allure of a Ferrari is the sound of its engine, something that quiet-running EVs can’t match.
To get around the issue, automakers have started adding sound generators to the EVs, in some cases to help pedestrians and the vision impaired know the vehicle is approaching. Ferrari is also investigating such a solution, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, citing a research report from investment firm Oddo BHF, which contains information from an alleged Ferrari patent.
According to the report, the patent describes a means to amplify the sound from one or more electric motors in a vehicle and have the sound played from the rear of the vehicle. Dodge has developed a similar system for its upcoming EV previewed by the Charger Daytona SRT and Charger Daytona SRT Banshee concepts. Other automakers have even hired music composers to develop sounds for the EVs.
Ferrari is well aware of the importance of the sound its vehicles make. In an investor presentation last June, CEO Benedetto Vigna said that sound is one of the “essentials that characterizes a Ferrari.” He also said each Ferrari engine has its own signature sound and that he expects electric Ferraris to have their own distinct sound.
Ferrari’s first EV is due in 2025 and tipped to be an SUV.