# Fake stick shift and "vroom" sound effects in electric vehicles **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 15, 2023, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-stick-shift-and-vroom-sound-effects-in-electric-vehicles/985587 "2023-06-15T22:01:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-stick-shift-and-vroom-sound-effects-in-electric-vehicles/985587/1 "2023-06-15T22:01:37Z")
“Toyota has decided that the way to get people excited about electric vehicles is to give consumers the illusion of driving a stick shift, fake vroom sound and all. The simulated manual transmission and other emerging features give customers “a truly ‘WOW! Experience,’ ” Takero Kato, the president of Toyota’s BEV Factory, told a workshop on the future of cars outside Tokyo last week. (The CAPITALIZATION and exclamation point come from the carmaker’s official English subtitling of the presentation.) The company may roll out the feature with its 2026 electric vehicle fleet, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.” Quoted from [slate.com](http://slate.com). This just wouldn’t pass without sharing. Link below: > **[Only Toyota Would Put a Fake Stick Shift in an Electric Car](https://slate.com/technology/2023/06/toyota-stick-shift-electric-vehicles-engine-noises-fake-why.html)** > > On the other hand, there's a long and loud history of adding fake car noises. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-stick-shift-and-vroom-sound-effects-in-electric-vehicles/985587/2 "2023-06-15T22:16:19Z")
It’s like the swoosh of the Enterprise in space. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-stick-shift-and-vroom-sound-effects-in-electric-vehicles/985587/3 "2023-06-15T22:20:27Z")
The MINI Cooper we got on 2003 had a CVT transmission - no individual gears. During acceleration, the engine would run at its most efficient rpm, and the transmission would steadily expand or contract accordingly. This was apparently so unnerving to some, so they added artificial gear ratios you could manually shift to, just to get the engine to rev like a geared transmission. It made the system comparatively inefficient, and we never used it. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-stick-shift-and-vroom-sound-effects-in-electric-vehicles/985587/4 "2023-06-15T22:25:40Z")
I am reminded of a toddler I saw riding a Big Wheel years ago. The Big Wheel had loud sound effects. He peddled for a little while, then turned them off. Then he yelled, “Vroom! Vroom!” ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-stick-shift-and-vroom-sound-effects-in-electric-vehicles/985587/5 "2023-06-15T22:29:00Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > This was apparently so unnerving to some I’m not sure I’ve ever driven a CVT vehicle – pretty sure I haven’t. But I think it would drive me a bit batty for at least a week or so getting used to there not being that “shift” feeling. ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-stick-shift-and-vroom-sound-effects-in-electric-vehicles/985587/6 "2023-06-15T22:30:34Z")
Electric car sounds should be limited to the [Jetsons flying car sound](https://youtu.be/FNa1XHmYj6U). I’m only half-kidding. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-stick-shift-and-vroom-sound-effects-in-electric-vehicles/985587/7 "2023-06-15T22:33:21Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > The MINI Cooper we got on 2003 had a CVT transmission - no individual gears. During acceleration, the engine would run at its most efficient rpm, and the transmission would steadily expand or contract accordingly. > > This was apparently so unnerving to some, so they added artificial gear ratios you could manually shift to, just to get the engine to rev like a geared transmission. It made the system comparatively inefficient, and we never used it. I’ve definitely seen a a lot of gearheads complain about CVT. I absolutely love it though. I will probably make sure any future car I buy have it. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-stick-shift-and-vroom-sound-effects-in-electric-vehicles/985587/8 "2023-06-15T22:35:37Z")
For me, one of the best parts of the EV experience is the neck jerking acceleration _without_ loud sounds and gear shifts. I like engine sounds, and driving a stick, but there is a different kind of fun in getting all of the performance (or more) without all of the drama. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-stick-shift-and-vroom-sound-effects-in-electric-vehicles/985587/9 "2023-06-15T22:37:31Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > This was apparently so unnerving to some, so they added artificial gear ratios you could manually shift to, just to get the engine to rev like a geared transmission. It made the system comparatively inefficient, and we never used it. Here’s a nearly 20 year old commercial where the driver has to make the shifting noises so his passenger can put her lipstick on. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/q_5EaSCNlug/maxresdefault.jpg "2007 Nissan Maxima "The Next" Commercials") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_5EaSCNlug&t=34) ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-stick-shift-and-vroom-sound-effects-in-electric-vehicles/985587/10 "2023-06-15T22:40:31Z")
I’m partial to the Pac-Man _waka waka waka_ noise, myself. Hoof falls or coconut claps would be fun, but potentially confusing. A sound that’s obviously a person imitating a vroom vroom car would be hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-stick-shift-and-vroom-sound-effects-in-electric-vehicles/985587/11 "2023-06-15T22:43:15Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > A sound that’s obviously a person imitating a vroom vroom car would be hilarious. Make that explicitly _a child_ imitating a vroom vroom car and I’m in! And it makes an “rrrrrrrerrt” sound when you turn corners 😁 ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-stick-shift-and-vroom-sound-effects-in-electric-vehicles/985587/12 "2023-06-15T22:48:19Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Here’s a nearly 20 year old commercial where the driver has to make the shifting noises so his passenger can put her lipstick on. I immediately thought of that very ad when I saw this thread. The point of course being that she had learned to wait until just after the normal jarring auto-tranny shift jolt to avoid drawing on her cheek. But their cool new car just didn’t do that anymore. FYI, many ICE performance cars now pump fake engine noises through the audio system so the car sounds more powerful and noxious to the driver than it does to the passersby. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-stick-shift-and-vroom-sound-effects-in-electric-vehicles/985587/13 "2023-06-15T22:48:24Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > I’ve definitely seen a a lot of gearheads complain about CVT. I absolutely love it though. I will probably make sure any future car I buy have it. I like it right up until one day, right after the warranty expired, the transmission failed, completely and irreparably. I think the full replacement cost was something in the $12k range, so we had to basically sell it for parts after less than five years. I’m sure the reliability has improved, but it left a bitter taste. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-stick-shift-and-vroom-sound-effects-in-electric-vehicles/985587/14 "2023-06-15T22:50:54Z")
> [@B.Serum](#): > > Make that explicitly _a child_ imitating a vroom vroom car and I’m in! > > And it makes an “rrrrrrrerrt” sound when you turn corners 😁 Or _The Mouse and the Motorcycle_ style. The driver had to continuously make the car noise to make the car go. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-stick-shift-and-vroom-sound-effects-in-electric-vehicles/985587/15 "2023-06-15T22:52:57Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > I’ve definitely seen a a lot of gearheads complain about CVT. I absolutely love it though. I will probably make sure any future car I buy have it. I’m not a gearhead by any stretch (except for enjoying stick shifts), but I just have a feeling that it would feel somewhat like a “Shepard tone” to me. Or a cadence that never resolves. Or a sneeze that builds and never delivers. > **[Shepard Tone](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzNzgsAE4F0%2F)** > > The Shepard Tone is an audio illusion formed by overlaying separate tones separated by octaves that each rise/fall (depending on the nature of the Shepard To... ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-stick-shift-and-vroom-sound-effects-in-electric-vehicles/985587/16 "2023-06-15T22:57:04Z")
On a Toyota I can totally see the fake engine sounds, but on a Mustang?.. > **[Listen to the Fake Engine Noise the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Pumps Into the...](https://www.thedrive.com/news/31105/listen-to-the-fake-engine-noise-the-2021-ford-mustang-mach-e-pumps-into-the-cabin)** > > If that doesn't make you giggle, then the instant acceleration will. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-stick-shift-and-vroom-sound-effects-in-electric-vehicles/985587/17 "2023-06-15T22:59:14Z")
I want a car that makes the Jetsons flying car noise. _weeby-weeby-weeby-weeby_ ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2023, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-stick-shift-and-vroom-sound-effects-in-electric-vehicles/985587/18 "2023-06-15T23:07:34Z")
Not quite the same but the VESS on Kia Niro EVs is pretty futuristic. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/NdZwVJPN0Ow/maxresdefault.jpg "Kia e-Niro 2021 - CRAZY electric SOUND (virtual engine sound)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdZwVJPN0Ow) The reverse beeping on the US version is a whole lot worse than that. I’m disabled mine. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2023, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-stick-shift-and-vroom-sound-effects-in-electric-vehicles/985587/19 "2023-06-16T01:43:30Z")
A guy I worked with related that he and his son were in the check out line behind an obese woman. When her pager went off, his son yelled, “Look out Dad! She’s backing up!” ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2023, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-stick-shift-and-vroom-sound-effects-in-electric-vehicles/985587/20 "2023-06-16T01:48:31Z")
I eagerly await the day people make a point of hacking the sound files and your car makes the aforementioned Jetson noises, Enterprise noises, or a copy of your own 4 year old going “Vroom Vroom”. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fake-stick-shift-and-vroom-sound-effects-in-electric-vehicles/985587.md?page=2)