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Re:Testing of Tesla Model S by brc on Tuesday January 18, 2011 @11:45PM (#2118641)
I understand your argument, and it might be true for a certain type who saw the pipes off their Camaro just to make it noisier, but in general, most car people are genuinely interested in new tech. Besides, the only non-testosterone thing about the Tesla is the lack of engine noise.

From this, I would argue that the noise is a pavlovian response - the noise accompanies the acceleration and so eventually the noise excites us, even if we're not in the car. Given time, the right sound of electric car noise will tingle the bones of the enthusiast.

My basis for this is the response initially given to Rotary engines - purists thought they were too buzzy. However, after anyone has lived with a powerful Rotary engine for a while, the sound of a tuned Rotary immediately pricks the ears. Noise is going to be one of the by-products of a powerful electric engine - witness electric trains like the TGV for that - so I can see the high-powered whine becoming the mark of a high-powered electric, and young enthusiasts will come up with kits to increase the sound, just as they have with V8's, Rotaries, Turbos and every other type of engine tech.

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