Ford Will Make Its Small Engines Sound Thirstier So People Use Them More Efficiently
We think of artificial engine sound as something manufacturers are piping into the cabins of performance cars to add a dash of excitement to proceedings, but Ford is looking at applying the idea for a rather different purpose. It’s just applied for a patent for a new type of artificial noise-creating device which will apparently make its users drive more efficiently.
The problem is that many people ‘shift by ear’ rather than using the rev counter, and those driving cars with Ford’s smaller engines - like the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder Ecoboost unit - tend to change gear at much higher revs than they would with a larger engine with more cylinders, sapping efficiency. In the patent, Ford says: “a time period between two directly successive ignition events of the internal combustion engine is determined. A superimposed noise is then generated at a time between the two directly successive ignition events.”
In other words, by inserting artificial noise at the right points in the ignition cycle, Ford will be able to make a dinky engine sound like it has more cylinders. The theory is that with the sound of a larger engine with more cylinders hitting their ears, drivers will be more likely to shift up earlier.
It’s too early to say whether or not this intriguing piece of technology will actually make its way to Ford’s production cars, but we’ll certainly be watching with interest…
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Wow. Just wow
I like it
As a 3 cylinder ecoboost owner this is just silly. I’ll stick with my 36 average mpg thanks. Nothing annoys me more than artificial engine and exhaust noise.
i agree, artificial noise would be bad.
i drive a 1999 vw 1.4i engine and yeah i need to calm my self down or i rev it to much.
but i have to say if it improves economy and driving comfort for normal people (the 90% that are no petrolheads) im ok with it as long as you can switch it of
I agree, but if you get to choose, a dinky engine that sounds bad or a dinky engine that sounds better with.. nevermind, i agree..
As a non-3 cylinder owner, I’ll take my 380hp, thanks.
Since when is gay an insult?
For which markets? because here in America we use autos, and the computer shifts for us.
Ford isn’t saying yet, since this is only at the patent stage, but you’d think European primarily for the reason you’ve stated!
You use autos, I use manual! 5 speed all day! No other way!
So, get some better pipes out back?
Wouldn’t work with me. If the engine sounded better I’d floor it more frequently XD
If it looks/sounds stupid but it works, it´s not stupid.
Shift lights at a prominent position would be a better option in my opinion.
fk this, it’s like a fake org asm
This needs more upvotes
doesn’t matter had sex?
Or, or, you make a shift light… FFS Ford.
Eco shiftlights exists already, but the main problem is that people does not watch they’re speedo … So it does not help …
I’ve got one on my daily … It says shiftdown under 1500rpm, shift up upper than 2000rpm … Easy with a short 6 speed gearbox