We’ve written extensively about the GMC Hummer EV Pickup’s long list of cool features, from its go-anywhere Extract Mode to its impressive removable glass Infinity Roof and much more, but we have yet to turn much attention to the vehicle’s rather unique Bose-developed Electric Vehicle Sound Enhancement (EVSE) technology – until now.
Bose says the Hummer EV’s unique EVSE technology was engineered “to replace the mostly silent interior that comes with operating an electric vehicle.” The company says the EVSE system sends unique “propulsion sounds,” into the cabin through its standard Bose stereo system to help mask “undesirable noise produced by the electric propulsion system.”
In normal driving scenarios, the noise generated by the EVSE is subtle and provides a layer of texture to the sound produced by the electric motors and road/wind noise, Bose says. If the vehicle is in Terrain Mode, a heavier bass tone will be introduced, with this sound gradually increasing in volume based on the vehicle’s torque delivery. If the vehicle is switched into Off-Road Mode, the EVSE will emit an even deeper rumble by way of the subwoofer as it moves across loose surfaces like dirt, gravel and sand.
EVSE is worked the hardest when the GMC Hummer EV Pickup is put in its acceleration-focused Watts to Freedom mode, which unlocks the full capability of the powertrain and enables the vehicle to hustle from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat. In Watts To Freedom mode, as the vehicle gears up for launch, the EVSE will play a mix of guitar riffs and other audible feedback to gradually build anticipation. At the same time, the vehicle uses its adaptive air suspension to lower its ride height and center of gravity. The sound then suddenly shifts, indicating the vehicle is ready to unleash all 1,000 horsepower from its three electric motors.
“The GMC Hummer EV offers sensory excitement along with incredible on- and off-road performance,” Al Oppenheiser, chief engineer for GMC Hummer EV, said in a statement. “The sense of sound is an important element, and we looked to our longtime partners at Bose for expertise in helping us balance the appropriate level of acoustic precision with driver input, yet not compromising the enjoyment of a near-silent EV experience.”
This system leverages the GMC Hummer EV Pickup Edition 1’s standard 14-speaker Bose audio system, which includes large 6×9-inch wide-range woofers in each of the front doors and a large subwoofer box positioned underneath the rear seats.
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Comments
This is just my personal opinion but I feel Bose has went down hill over the last 10 years. They were one of the best audio wise but now McIntosh, bowers & wilkins, sennheiser, Harman kardon have all passed them.
Harman Kardon though? I liked them 20 years ago, but now they’re pc speakers and occasionally badge inside a car.
My Harman Kardon AVR 635 serves faithfully in my garage…
Hmm – Although I am pretty impressed with the 0-60 time, it seems like the industry is trying to “mask” what an EV is – electrical equipment is almost silent. It’s sort of like “if we play the sounds of an internal combustion engine, they won’t know it is electric”. If people don’t like the sounds of an electric vehicle, then don’t buy it. It is what it is, and hiding that fact just seems disingenuous. My in-laws have a hybrid SUV. They love it, but one day heard a sound from the rear end while backing up. They always take care of their stuff, so thinking it was an overly rubbing brake or something, they took it to the dealer. Turns out it was designed to artificially produce this sound while in reverse for safety (as most times when in reverse it will be going slowly, meaning it will usually be in “electric mode” in reverse). I guess it makes sense, but the salesmen are probably just afraid to tell people this because it sounds cheesy. I mean, if the point is to alert people that the vehicle is backing up, then put a back up beeper on it like a truck. It will definitely work better and most people will know what it is. But most people don’t want to wake up the neighborhood as they back out of the garage every morning. I just feel that the industry is trying to hide the true nature of operating an EV so they can sell more. One sad thing is that, as far as I can tell, this is not an option, so in an effort to sell more of these HUMMER EVs, they add these gizmos that are not required and so further pushing up the price for everyone who might be interested. Can you imagine showing up to your dealership service department saying that it sounds like your radio keeps coming on by itself while driving, or maybe saying that something is wrong because the guitar stopped playing when you floor it. I don’t know if I could keep a straight face or even be expected to be taken seriously. Most people who take their vehicles seriously actually prefer to “listen” to their vehicle as they are driving to try to take into account any tell-tale “new sounds” that might indicate a problem or needed service. Now we can’t do that because the manufacturers are designing in playing fake sounds to mask the real sounds. These vehicles are pretty amazing, but I would rather that my vehicle was not also a video game.
Just read about this system where you can choose or create your own interactive EV sounds.
Glydsphere