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      03-19-2014, 10:07 PM   #1
Dackelone
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Arrow We Detail the BMW i8 Exterior/Interior Active Sound and Pedestrian Protection System

We have posted a rare in-car i8 acceleration launch video to our YouTube page.

Our video shows the i8's gauge graphics as the car accelerates in Sport Mode, as well as providing a listen at the i8's raw mechanical sounds as it accelerates. While the production i8 will be equipped with Active Sound Design (enhanced interior sound technology), this particular car we're hearing has its Active Sound Design (ASD) disabled for testing purposes. ASD will not be able to be turned off by the driver in the production model (though BIMMERPOST members have found workarounds on other BMW models). ASD will sound different depending on the selected driving mode(s) - Sport, Comfort, Eco Pro.

Another interesting feature we've learned is about the i8's exterior sound. The i8 will also feature Active Sound Design on the outside(as well as the inside of the cabin). The left exhaust pipe(dummy) is an external speaker used for the exterior sound projection while the right side is for regular (engine)emissions. Also the exterior ASD cannot be disabled. Part #6 in the diagram below indicates the speaker used to project the exterior engine sound.

We have also learned that the i8 will feature a pedestrian protection system. It will produce an acoustic sound to warn pedestrians that the car is approaching. The sound generator is mounted in the right front nose of the car (diagrammed below). It is active in e-mode and produces a howling type of noise. In extreme situations, the car will automatically brake and completely stop (if needed) before an impact with a pedestrian. The i8's pedestrian protection system uses KAFAS (Camera Assisted Driver Assistance System) by day and NiVi (Night Vision camera) by night. The acoustic pedestrian warning can be switched off.

The i8 covers 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds and has a top speed of 155mph (electronically limited). For full technical details see our Official Thread.

It's priced from $135,700 in the US and will begin deliveries in June.




Components of Active Sound Design and Pedestrian Protection System:

#1: ECU for ASD
#2, 3, 7, 8: interior ASD speakers
#6 exterior ASD speaker
#9 Headunit


Name:  i8 diagram.jpg
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Size:  63.4 KB


ASD exterior sound speaker
Name:  i8   ASD    exterior speaker.jpg
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Size:  90.1 KB



VSG pedestrian protection (acoustic)
Name:  i8 pedstrian protection accustic.jpg
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Size:  72.7 KB




first column: Pedestrian Warning
second column: Active Sound Design (interior)
third column: Active Sound Design (exterior)
Name:  i8 ASD diagram  o.jpg
Views: 39500
Size:  120.8 KB
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      03-24-2014, 02:30 PM   #2
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It sounds insane! I like it! Is that Active Sound Design? I don't care as long as there is performance as well. Something that's also very interesting is the ASD exterior sound speaker.

Thanks for sharing. Very interesting information.

Last edited by lasovan; 03-24-2014 at 02:39 PM..
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      03-24-2014, 02:31 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lasovan View Post
It sounds insane! I like it! Is that Active Sound Design? I don't care as long as there is performance as well.
As the article states - the sound in the video is with the Active Sound DISABLED. No reason to believe that the Active Sound will not sound as good or better.
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      03-24-2014, 02:32 PM   #4
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So you can hack the exterior active sound and make it sound like a Ferrari. Add some subs and an amp for that exterior speaker...

I love the car but I find this exterior active sound (surely a first) a little bit funny. Why not just let it sound the way it sounds. :

Anyway it would be fun to hack (code) the pedestrian warning sound to something other than a howling sound (whatever that means), something like, "Watch out!!!" but funnier.

I think this thread will be entertaining.

Edit: Sounds great in the video (from inside) with the active sound disabled. Would love to hear side-by-side comparison of the exterior sound with and without active sound.
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      03-24-2014, 02:35 PM   #5
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That sounds completely unlike any other bmw. I kinda like it and I was really surprised to find out active sound was disabled. Wonder how it sounds with active sound.
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      03-24-2014, 02:37 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ddk632 View Post
So you can hack the exterior active sound and make it sound like a Ferrari. Add some subs and an amp for that exterior speaker...

I love the car but I find this exterior active sound (surely a first) a little bit funny. Why not just let it sound the way it sounds. :

Anyway it would be fun to hack (code) the pedestrian warning sound to something other than a howling sound (whatever that means), something like, "Watch out!!!" but funnier.

I think this thread will be entertaining.

Edit: Sounds great in the video (from inside) with the active sound disabled. Would love to hear side-by-side comparison of the exterior sound with and without active sound.

Audi was first into production with an ASD(inside the exhaust muffler) on their new 3.0L BiTDi V6 engine. Their system changes the sound of the motor into a V8 type of sound.
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      03-24-2014, 02:39 PM   #7
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ASD = LAME.
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      03-24-2014, 02:41 PM   #8
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I think I'm in love..
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      03-24-2014, 02:41 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dackelone View Post
Audi was first into production with an ASD(inside the exhaust muffler) on their new BiTDi V6 engine. Their system changes the sound of the motor into a V8.
Nice, I was not aware of that (nor did I have any reason to be)!

Considering the likes of Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart, it seems fitting that the Germans are pioneering this Active Sound business!

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      03-24-2014, 02:46 PM   #10
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This is beyond gimmicky. Honestly, I would be embarrassed to own one.
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      03-24-2014, 02:48 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason View Post
No reason to believe that the Active Sound will not sound as good or better.
I agree on this

Last edited by lasovan; 03-24-2014 at 02:53 PM..
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      03-24-2014, 02:49 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ddk632 View Post
Nice, I was not aware of that (nor did I have any reason to be)!

Considering the likes of Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart, it seems fitting that the Germans are pioneering this Active Sound business!

Mozart was Austrian
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      03-24-2014, 02:51 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lasovan View Post
Mozart was Austrian
Close enough dude, he gets thrown in with the Germans all the time!

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      03-24-2014, 02:53 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmerjph View Post
This is beyond gimmicky. Honestly, I would be embarrassed to own one.
I wouldn't go as far as to say embarrassed...

For example, I hate the name "LaFerrari" but I would still have no shame in owning one, whatsoever.

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      03-24-2014, 03:16 PM   #15
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Impressive sound, wow!
A petite 1.5 I3 can sound this good, mighty impressive imo
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      03-24-2014, 03:25 PM   #16
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This reminds me of that movie with Kevin James and Vince Vaughn, The Dilemma.

Their whole objective was to design an electric car with a "fake" exhaust sound to compliment the rpm.

Someone said earlier to hack the sound. Now, that would be hilarious. For comedic purposes, I'd get a ugly "fart can" exhaust sound off a cheap rice rocket and implement it to this $ 6-figure car.
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      03-24-2014, 04:09 PM   #17
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Sounds insanely good...it really sounds like that naturally? If active sound improves on this, it must be very impressive.
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      03-24-2014, 04:14 PM   #18
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      03-24-2014, 05:03 PM   #19
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So much sound distortion in that clip it's not even funny. It would be very misleading to make any reasonable conclusions based on that fact alone.
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      03-24-2014, 05:23 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmerjph View Post
This is beyond gimmicky. Honestly, I would be embarrassed to own one.

I believe a big part of the active sound, internal and external, is for safety purposes. I would imagine driving by the 'seat of your pants' benefits, in part, by the exhaust note. Externally, other cars as well as pedestrians, etc benefit for obvious reasons.

Not sure all electric cars do this but I would rather have this than say a whistle.
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      03-24-2014, 05:23 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ddk632 View Post
I wouldn't go as far as to say embarrassed...

For example, I hate the name "LaFerrari" but I would still have no shame in owning one, whatsoever.

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      03-24-2014, 05:48 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by savela View Post
I believe a big part of the active sound, internal and external, is for safety purposes. I would imagine driving by the 'seat of your pants' benefits, in part, by the exhaust note. Externally, other cars as well as pedestrians, etc benefit for obvious reasons.

Not sure all electric cars do this but I would rather have this than say a whistle.
I would believe that if there wasn't a separate module up front for passenger safety.

This is just to help people show off. Which is why I don't like it.
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