In recent months, it’s been revealed that battery and platform developer Stellantis has come up with an Active Sound Enhancement (ASE) and Active Vibration Enhancement (AVE) system that mimics that of a traditional ICE V-8 engine. Through patent filing, we’ve discovered this is part of a much larger and ambitious plan to bring high-powered electric models to the market at a large scale, essentially nudging people into battery versus engine-based shopping. Stellantis has been a major player in the EV industry for years, creating platforms and developing technology for manufacturers to use in their electric vehicles. Of course, with a V-8-reminiscent sound system in the works, this points toward more muscle car and sports car development across the segment.
The perfect example of why this sound tech matters is we have Stellantis collaborating with brands like Dodge for the upcoming Charger EV, which NEEDS a V-8 sound system to add a cherry to the electric cake. It’s all about giving drivers the same edge they’d have in a traditional gas car, all while creating zero emissions. There’s a missing link in the electric industry, and Stellantis and Dodge may have just answered the prayer so many of us have been making all this time. Let’s face it, people love antics. And, if any brand can accomplish this automotive feat, it would be Stellantis.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Stellantis and other authoritative sources, including official patent documents, Road & Track, and other reliable outlets.
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Stellantis Just Solved A Major EV Problem
Up until these patents were filed by battery and EV developer Stellantis, the market desperately lacked a V-8 adjacent technology for non-ICE models. Because a V-8 relies on its engine to hum to high heavens, you were almost at a loss shopping for electric or even hybrid models if that’s the experience you were after with your car. Of course, V-8s aren’t standard in most models, and often are reserved for sportier, faster, and muscle-designed nameplates.
Stellantis, however, recently threw that to the wind and has filed a patent for Active Sound Enhancement (ASE) and Active Vibration Enhancement (AVE) systems. These innovations promise to recreate the visceral experience of driving a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle while enjoying the benefits of electric propulsion. In layman’s terms, you will see these sound systems create the same theatrics of a true V-8 system, all without an engine beneath your EV’s hood.
Thank Sensor Technology For This V-8 Breakthrough
Interestingly enough, one of the main components of Stellantis’ V-8 sound system is its use of sensors. Through sensor tech and advanced system processing, Stellantis engineers replicate authentic engine sounds in real-time. Therefore, you hitting the “gas” would feel this way, even though you’re simply hearing a system that doesn’t truly exist anywhere on or inside your vehicle. That’s the magic of sound haptics, and through Stellantis engineering, will become a reality soon. We’ve seen other auto manufacturers and EV system developers release simulated tech before, although this is bound to be more aggressive and similar to a true V-8 driving experience.
Stellantis pairs ASE with AVE, which generates vibrations mimicking those of an ICE engine. These vibrations, strategically transmitted throughout the vehicle, offer drivers and passengers a surround sound engine revving sensation, all while creating zero emissions.
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We Have Simulated Engine Sounds, But Stellantis Is Doing It Better
Because we’ve witnessed other brands, like Hyundai, release models with sound haptics resembling an engine-driven experience, Stellantis has upped the ante quite a bit. As we said, this sound system relies even more heavily on the sensors surrounding your car’s acceleration and motors, turning up the volume and dramatics as you do.
Unlike an Ioniq 5 N that may feel like an engine rev and then go back to quiet cabin ambiance, this V-8 is going to roar. Each seat in a Stellantis-powered EV will send these engine purrs through the person’s body, giving one of the most advanced and believable performances ever. Again, we love a theatric moment, and Stellantis does too. You’ll essentially transform electric powertrains into mean, lean muscle cars. All without lifting a finger.
The Benefits Of More Noise To Pedestrians
One major benefit Stellantis and its critics have long battled with EVs is their quietness on the road. Of course, we all love the smooth ride and sounds of an electric car like Tesla, but from an outsider’s POV, this can be rather dangerous. As part of a louder internal V-8 experience, you’ll also see an exterior push for boundary-breaking simulation. Stellantis and its engineers have created a system that would be loud inside AND outside an electric vehicle, which could warn people of a car fast approaching. Especially for those in the city, this could save a life. Silence isn’t always ideal.
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Muscle EVs Are Becoming A Thing, And Stellantis Is Leading The Charge
One of the most interesting and exciting segments opening within the EV market is muscle car development. With brands like Dodge partnering with Stellantis to create the first-ever Charger EV, we’re starting to see the market shift back to loud, proud vehicle design and manufacturing. Through a V-8 reminiscent technology via sensors and speakers, your EV could compete like it has a true engine roaring under its hood.
Of course, the Dodge Charger EV is where this trend has started and stalled, with other brands keeping close tabs on consumer feedback before doing anything dramatic. Ford, however, has been rumored to be creating an electric Mustang adjacent to the SUV version, Mach-E, so that’s good news for loud drivers. It’s not amazing for HOAs, but we digress.
Don’t Knock It Till You Try It!
Because much of the world doesn’t know a simulated engine can be done in an electric vehicle, Stellantis and other developers will have to push this technology to its limit. After all, driving a muscle car comes with plenty of haptics and engine components, all exiting through the tailpipe of beloved models. When an EV enters the picture, you have less understanding of the masses of how ‘cool’ these can be. An electric car doesn’t have to be a snooze, and with Stellantis filing patents for V-8-sounding EV manufacturing, we may be onto a new chapter of one of the industry’s most anti-electric segments.
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Even if we’re years out from this type of technology making its way into electric models, Stellantis continues to prove that the EV game is anything but predictable. You want to remember that most of the major auto brands have promised governments, shoppers, and themselves that a net-zero future is approaching, with many drivers uneasy about what this means for performance. You don’t always have to lose one thing to gain another, and through Active Sound Enhancement (ASE) and Active Vibration Enhancement (AVE) systems, we may be able to bridge the gap between boring EVs and sexy muscle cars. All it takes is a wild idea and an even wilder team of engineers to make it a reality.
Stellantis Already Proved Successful With Its Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust
Although this tech was met with controversy, Stellantis already showed the world it could mimic an ICE model through sounds and vibrations. We saw this with the more recent debut of the all-electric Charger Daytona SRT concept, which boasted a faux exhaust system. Yes, the system wasn’t a perfect V-8 match, but it proved cool enough to keep people (including us) talking. By simulating certain features of a V-8, you see a much broader market appeal for auto shoppers and drivers. Stellantis and its partners know this all too well. We’re betting on them to make EVs sexy to everyone and have them purring like true muscle models.
