Ford Will Make Its Small Engines Sound Thirstier So People Use Them More Efficiently

Ford has applied for a patent concerning an artificial noise-creating device which will make its downsized engine sound like they have more cylinders
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…

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Comments

Anonymous

Wow. Just wow

05/10/2016 - 10:41 |
0 | 4
Jeff 6

I like it

05/10/2016 - 10:44 |
8 | 8
Anonymous

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.

05/10/2016 - 10:47 |
44 | 6
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

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

05/10/2016 - 12:15 |
20 | 0
gheed

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

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..

05/10/2016 - 15:24 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

As a non-3 cylinder owner, I’ll take my 380hp, thanks.

05/10/2016 - 19:20 |
6 | 2
John Paul Tapp
05/10/2016 - 10:48 |
16 | 22

Since when is gay an insult?

05/10/2016 - 10:59 |
12 | 10
Anonymous

For which markets? because here in America we use autos, and the computer shifts for us.

05/10/2016 - 10:49 |
4 | 0
Matt Robinson
Matt Robinson

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

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!

05/10/2016 - 10:52 |
8 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

You use autos, I use manual! 5 speed all day! No other way!

05/10/2016 - 12:22 |
6 | 4
Siarnaq088

So, get some better pipes out back?

05/10/2016 - 10:51 |
0 | 0
On the Apex

Wouldn’t work with me. If the engine sounded better I’d floor it more frequently XD

05/10/2016 - 10:54 |
558 | 2
Roi Nieto

If it looks/sounds stupid but it works, it´s not stupid.

05/10/2016 - 11:03 |
10 | 0

Shift lights at a prominent position would be a better option in my opinion.

05/10/2016 - 11:16 |
8 | 0
DragzMR2

fk this, it’s like a fake org asm

05/10/2016 - 11:04 |
232 | 12
iWillGetAnR34GTR

In reply to by DragzMR2

This needs more upvotes

05/10/2016 - 11:45 |
6 | 102

doesn’t matter had sex?

05/10/2016 - 12:26 |
206 | 4
Thierry Theuns

Or, or, you make a shift light… FFS Ford.

05/10/2016 - 11:15 |
2 | 2

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

05/10/2016 - 12:26 |
2 | 0