In the presentation room of the Shiftech brand, Christophe, manager, gives us a demonstration of the active sound Booster system on a demonstration vehicle.
It accelerates ... And instead of the sound of a classic diesel comes from the exhaust the purring of an engine that we imagine very different.
“It's nicer, it's prettier than a car that doesn't make noise,” explains Christophe.
In fact this sound is that of a small speaker installed next to the muffler, invisible from the outside.
Shiftech has been installing it for a few years.
On Twitter, several Internet users launched the controversy by discovering this device which artificially inflates the sound of a diesel vehicle exhaust.
Matthieu Orphelin, close to Nicolas Hulot, reacted in particular: “Increase the noise.
Artificially.
In 2021. Not bad, right?
"
I didn't want to believe it but, after checking, it's true. @ AudiFrance sells accessories to "intensify the sound" of the engine of its new cars.
Increase the noise.
Artificially.
In 2021.
Not bad, right?
🙈🙉 # mobility # noise pic.twitter.com/ubPrepiIDa
- Matthieu ORPHELIN (@M_Orphelin) October 10, 2021
The car brand in the crosshairs is Audi, whose website still shows the possibility of installing this type of device.
The brand recalls that it no longer sells any on its classic models.
However, this speaker device is still available as standard on the S TDI sports diesel series such as the SQ5 TDI.
When contacted, the brand ensures that the system acts "without impact on the exterior sound volume".
Find our report at Shiftech to understand what this automotive equipment looks like.
