VIDEO: Karma flies, sounds like jet
Filed under: Hybrid, USA, Fisker
We were telling you recently about the Fisker Karma showing up in fake camo stickers as part of a PR campaign. This being the 21st century and all, video, as well as the still photos, was taken and now is available on YouTube. Said video is equipped with sound and has the Karma accelerating to the tune of something akin to twin turbines. Having heard previously that an actual running prototype of the car wouldn't be seen until closer to the sunset of 2008, we have to wonder what it is
[Source: YouTube]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-16-2008 @ 5:41PM
Kevin Nugent said...
It really does sound like it is powered by jets
Reply
5-16-2008 @ 5:46PM
GoodCheer said...
There's a lot going on in the audio there.
I definitely hear something that sounds like the gear whine of an electric power train (electric drives are loud because the gears are cut to a different shape to transmit power in two directions, unlike ICE gears).
Most of the sound is just wind blowing over an un-sheltered mike.
Reply
5-16-2008 @ 6:49PM
EVan said...
It could be the whine from the DC to AC inverter. These can make a lot of noise, are usually high pitched, and their frequency is related to the rotational velocity of the motor.
That's my guess.
Reply
5-17-2008 @ 12:16AM
Mik_Cal said...
It's the combination of wind noise on the mic, the whine of the AC motor and tire noise.
Reply
5-17-2008 @ 1:50AM
pauln said...
No, seriously, I think there a jets driving that car. Sounds just like a MIG taking off. Maybe Fisker has a deal for surplus Russian jets.
Reply
5-17-2008 @ 8:59AM
MetroMPG.com said...
Typical AC drive "Jetsons" sound.
Google "EV1 goodies" and watch (listen to) the quicktime vid of the EV1 accelerating from inside the car: "Hear the unique sound as we accelerate to 40 mph."
Very similar turbine like sound, minus the aerodynamic/tire noise in the Fisker clip.
Reply
5-18-2008 @ 8:55PM
dan said...
Sounds like a curtis PMC 1.5khz whine
Reply
6-07-2008 @ 4:53PM
Igor Braverman said...
I'm pretty sure fisker has specifically mentioned external speakers to make noise for the "safety of the pedestrians". Because the car is very quiet.
Reply