Designing the BMW Concept i4 Sound – BMW of Elmhurst Dealer
The BMW Concept i4 is notable not only for its extraordinary design aesthetic, but also for something that’s usually overlooked—its sound. Working under the name BMW IconicSounds Electric, the vehicle’s sound was composed by film score composer/record producer Hans Zimmer in collaboration with BMW sound designer Renzo Vitale. The new tones and sounds will give BMW’s electric vehicles (EVs) an added dimension to connect the driver with the vehicle. At BMW of Elmhurst, we’re excited to experience these new sounds in upcoming production models.
While some believe there’s an advantage in silent electric drive systems, others feel they’re missing the pleasure that comes with the sound of a powerful engine. BMW believes that sound is an important component in forging an emotional relationship with its EVs.
The range of sounds found in the BMW Concept i4 spans from the driving sounds of the Experience Mode Core to the more powerful tones of Sport. Zimmer and Vitale even created sounds to accompany opening the vehicle’s door and starting the car.
“Renzo and I were inspired to bring together the past and future of BMW with the sound for the BMW Concept i4,” Zimmer said. “We hope the sound we created is classic yet surprising and has a feeling of lightness that is fitting for the BMW brand.”
The duo introduced the new start/stop sound for the BMW Concept i4 at Zimmer’s studio in Santa Monica late last year. BMW will present the new ready-to-drive sound in all its EV models as a standard feature in July 2020. “The new start/stop sound is intended to instill a sense of excitement at the prospect of electric driving when the customer gets into their vehicle and begins the journey,” said Vitale.
The BMW Concept i4 drive sound is the second sonic partnership between BMW and Hans Zimmer. The previous acoustic creation was developed for the BMW Vision M NEXT and presented at the #NEXTGen event in Munich in June 2019.
Listen to the sound of the BMW Concept i4 at https://youtu.be/mclA5NmXFXg.
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