BMW adds electric sound range to EVs

BMW IconicSounds Electric brings an unmistakable sound portfolio to BMW models powered by a fully electric or plug-in hybrid drive system.

The collaboration between composer and curator Hans Zimmer and BMW Group sound creative director Renzo Vitale has produced a distinctive drive soundtrack which customers will soon be able to experience in a version developed specially for electric BMW M cars.

“Every BMW has its own character, which is reflected in the sound it makes,” says film music creator and Academy Award winner Zimmer.

“So for the electrically driven BMW M models we have developed a drive system sound which accentuates their emotional driving experience particularly vividly and ensures their performance can be felt with even greater intensity.”

Zimmer had previously been involved in the development of an inspiring ready-to-drive sound for electrically powered BMWs when the Start/Stop button is pressed.

The latest chapter in this collaboration covers drive sounds for the BMW iX and BMW i4, including a differentiated sound for the M-specification version of the BMW i4.

“In the future, electric driving pleasure will be enhanced by acoustic feedback to every movement of the accelerator,” BMW says.

Only when the vehicle is travelling in ECO PRO mode is the acoustic feedback reduced to nothing.

“When you press the pedal of an M car, you suddenly get goosebumps all over your body,” Vitale says.

“We translated this feeling into a drive sound that expresses a fusion of superior power and flowing energy.”

Both co-developed the drive system sound for the BMW Vision M Next revealed in 2019 and the BMW Concept i4 presented in 2020, those learnings channelled into the sound design for future series-produced vehicles.

The new drive sounds are expected to feature in the BMW i4 and BMW iX over the course of 2022. IconicSounds Electric comes as standard in the BMW iX and can be specified as an option for the BMW i4.

In cars with earlier build dates, the new sounds can be imported retrospectively via Remote Software Upgrade, should the customer wish.

The new spectrum includes one ready-to-drive sound and one stop sound, plus a drive system sound which will be made available in the relevant version for BMW models and BMW M cars with electrified drive.