Coming Soon: A Tunable Exhaust System
An Aveo that sounds like a Corvette? The Detroit News says it's possible using technology developed by Eberspacher GmbH and its North American subsidiary after exhaustive research [sorry– couldn't help myself]. The system, called "ActiveSilence," goes Lotus' " Safe & Sound" system one better. It works by inserting a heat-resistant speaker into the exhaust system in lieu of a muffler. Then, depending on driver preference, sound waves from the speaker can either cancel engine noise completely or tune it for a variety of sounds from limo quiet to a roaring big block. Those who want to turn their ride into a rolling ghetto blaster can even blow music out their tailpipe. The system is ready for production but an Eberspacher spokesman said it would be two or three years before you'll see hear it on the road. Once that happens there's bound to be a booming business in downloadable sounds to personalize your car with the automotive equivalent of ring tones. But the burning questions is: will it include a jack so you can plug in your iPod?
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I want my car to play circus calliope music...
I'm thinking Wagner for mine, "Flight of the Valkeries" at high revs and something more rumbling like "Also Sprak Zarathustra" at lower revs.
I'm more like Pearl Jam or Weezer here. But then I never was too conventional. I like Night on Bald Mountain for classic thump. A 48 y.o. with a 4 skateboard arsenal is not mainstream...
I like calliope (ha! get a comically small subcompact for even better laughs), I like Valkyries, I like Weezer... ...but the first person I come across with John Mayer coming out of their tailpipe is getting rear-ended at 65 MPH.