The aim is to create typical "Scandinavian sound comfort" and an acoustic palette that matches the aura of the brand in terms of its core values of the environment, safety and design.
Eva Lahti explains what is meant by Scandinavian sound comfort:
"Here in Sweden and Scandinavia we have large, quiet spaces. The acoustic environment is open and free, not densely packed. And that's how our customers expect a Volvo to sound."
When it comes specifically to work on engine noise - the work that is done in the new noise lab - the focus is on two criteria: sound that informs and sound that impresses.
For engine noise that provides information, the experts aim for the optimal balance - the car's driving properties, road noise, steering feel and engine note should all create a single cohesive pattern.
"If I cruise at a steady speed, the engine should produce a pleasant, relaxing note. But if I accelerate from low speed under full throttle, the difference should be heard in the sound the engine produces. It should give me feedback to verify what I am doing so I do not lose my intuitive link with the car," explains Eva Lahti.
Johan Stenson feels that the science of developing impressive engine sound can become an important competitive tool for securing customers.
"For impressive engine sound, we have so far achieved the most striking results with our high-end products. The first car we worked on was the V8-powered Volvo XC90. We aimed to create a sophisticated V8 sound with a typical European note," says Johan Stenson.
And in fact it is that V8 engine note that became Eva Lahti's absolute favourite. She was involved in a test in which the car was first driven very carefully. The engine whispered discreetly, it sounded like a purring cat.
"Then we switched test drivers. The new driver floored it immediately. Wow! I was stunned - the engine showed a totally different side to its personality depending on how it was driven. Fantastic!
Johan Stenson has his own favourite. He enjoys the sound of Volvo's five-cylinder engines, the way they sounded in the very first Volvo 850.
"That was a lovely, throaty gurgle - like rock & roll at its best!" he says.
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| The Volvo Cars Acoustic Laboratory opened in 2009, test of a Volvo XC60. |
Eva Lahti explains what is meant by Scandinavian sound comfort:
"Here in Sweden and Scandinavia we have large, quiet spaces. The acoustic environment is open and free, not densely packed. And that's how our customers expect a Volvo to sound."
When it comes specifically to work on engine noise - the work that is done in the new noise lab - the focus is on two criteria: sound that informs and sound that impresses.
For engine noise that provides information, the experts aim for the optimal balance - the car's driving properties, road noise, steering feel and engine note should all create a single cohesive pattern.
"If I cruise at a steady speed, the engine should produce a pleasant, relaxing note. But if I accelerate from low speed under full throttle, the difference should be heard in the sound the engine produces. It should give me feedback to verify what I am doing so I do not lose my intuitive link with the car," explains Eva Lahti.
Johan Stenson feels that the science of developing impressive engine sound can become an important competitive tool for securing customers.
"For impressive engine sound, we have so far achieved the most striking results with our high-end products. The first car we worked on was the V8-powered Volvo XC90. We aimed to create a sophisticated V8 sound with a typical European note," says Johan Stenson.
And in fact it is that V8 engine note that became Eva Lahti's absolute favourite. She was involved in a test in which the car was first driven very carefully. The engine whispered discreetly, it sounded like a purring cat.
"Then we switched test drivers. The new driver floored it immediately. Wow! I was stunned - the engine showed a totally different side to its personality depending on how it was driven. Fantastic!
Johan Stenson has his own favourite. He enjoys the sound of Volvo's five-cylinder engines, the way they sounded in the very first Volvo 850.
"That was a lovely, throaty gurgle - like rock & roll at its best!" he says.
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| Eva Lahti, acoustic engineer at Volvo Cars. |