Screaming V12 In A Tesla? Go Out In Style If The World Has To End

If you’re a petrolhead, you might find yourself fearing the electric vehicle (EV) revolution. We’ve been raised on a diet of induction noises and exhaust roars. In a world where carmakers seem to be emphasising gadgets and features over driver engagement, the aftermarket has come to our rescue. Milltek Sport has created an ‘exhaust system’ for the Tesla Model 3 which gives it a V12 roar with every push of the accelerator. Is this the revolution we were all waiting for?

The Active Sound exhaust system is essentially a transducer attached with a muffler. It connects to your EV’s control unit and you can operate it with a smartphone app. A number of new users are baffled by EV startup procedures since there is no key-turning or startup sound involved. With this system, your car has a distinct rumble when you start it.

The system is connected with the accelerator pedal, so the exhaust tone changes with throttle input. Since there is no gear changing involved, your car sounds as if a 1960s single-speed Dynaflow transmission is sitting underneath.

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Governments in several countries have mandated that electric cars need to make a noise at city speeds. Electric motors are inherently quieter than internal combustion (IC) engines. In places where horn honking is a social taboo, it is easy for pedestrians and cyclists to miss the presence of an approaching electric car.

Most manufacturers now fit their electric cars with a sound generator which makes a buzzing noise when driving at low speeds. It is essentially a front-mounted speaker which creates anything from white noise to a buzz or a whir, depending on the manufacturer. An innovative and economical but uninspiring solution to a first-world problem.

The Active Sound Control device is available as a single and dual sound generator kit. It costs around GBP 1,200 to 2,000 (Rs 1.2 lakh to Rs 1.8 lakh). While it may seem pricey, Milltek’s generator isn’t a mere speaker. It has a muffler and an ‘exhaust’ outlet. The company’s expertise in acoustics gives this generator a deep burble. A V12 isn’t the only sound profile on offer -- eight sound profiles include a V8 exhaust as well.

Milltek’s smartphone app lets you control the volume, pitch and tone of your Tesla’s exhaust. The company says that the artificial exhaust system works not just for EVs, but also hybrids and diesels.

Milltek is a popular UK-based aftermarket exhaust system manufacturer which, until recently, specialised in internal combustion engines. Its products are available from a network of affiliated dealers across the world, including India.

While Milltek’s Acoustic Sound is expensive, it has the potential to change the way we perceive electric cars while driving them. Even Tesla owners are not immune to the monotony of wheel and wind noise. If you have the means, why wouldn’t you drive your EV with a V8 or V12 soundtrack?