2012 Fisker Karma Pedestrian Warning Sound in Electric Vehicle Mode

Here I'm driving a 2012 Fisker Karma into a shop while my friend Scott shot a short video clip. The Fisker Karma is a plug-in hybrid that can run as an electric vehicle part of the time. Such silent running can pose a threat to pedestrians who don't hear it coming, and regulations to require EVs and plug-in hybrids to make some sort of noise are being drawn up.
Even though the regulation isn't final, Fisker went ahead and developed a system of their own, and they've tried to make that sound as futuristic as the car itself. Speakers at the front and back of the car produce a noise whenever the car is operating in electric mode at any speed below 25 mph.
To me it sounds like a combination of Tron lightcycle, the 2001 monolith noise, the Droid phone commercial sound, and a squadron of P-51 Mustangs banking overhead.You may not pick out the subtlety in this video because the car is entering a garage where the noise echoes around, making it sound louder than it is. That said, no one's going to miss it, and it is loud enough to be heard from inside the car at a low background level.

[@bubble.mp4]

Sounds like a MacBook still in the process of starting up

[@MrWolfSnack]

100% true.

[@MJtheFox]

So true

[@DerpOKat21]

That comes from the speakers. Yes. Speakers.

[@Cat-fy5lw]

Me showing up at my friend's place on a TRON hoverbike:

[@fordshelbygt7177]

I Love How This Car Sounds
It Sounds Like a PS2 Intro

[@phk818]

Personally, I don’t like the pedestrian warning sound on my Karma (it’s kind of embarrassing and in my opinion, it cheapens the car) so I disabled it. Here is how I did it.
The entire process took about 10-15 minutes.
By the way, my mechanic suggested I just unplug the speaker wire from the back of the speaker but I didn’t want to risk activating a Check Engine light (every time that light comes on, its costs me an arm and a leg)!
I purchased a roll of Gorilla tape (I’m sure duct tape works just as good).
I had my local mechanic raise my Karma 6 ft. in the air (I bought him a large pizza for letting me use his hoist).
I located the front and rear speakers under the car (both are located near each bumper).
The speakers are both housed inside a small square plastic box. I used a Philips screw driver (4 screws on each speaker) and removed the plastic cover.
Once the speaker was exposed, I cut several small pieces of tape (about 8-10 on each speaker) and completely covered the speaker! Then, I did the same thing, closing off the inside of the vented cover that protects the speaker. I put the cover back on. Turned the car on and… it worked PERFECT!!!
You can’t hear a thing on the outside. Nothing like a quiet electric Karma at slow speeds.

[@DanEdmunds]

Compared to the newer ones that have come out in the last couple years, this early Fisker Karma was quite loud. I get it. But I have surprised a few pedestrians when creeping through parking lots in EVs, though, so I do think they need to emit some sort of sound. If it were me, I might've stuffed something into the speakers to bring the level down a bit.

[@Cat-fy5lw]

0:03 When you try to park a hovercar without waking up your neighbors.

[@GrnArrow092]

Sounds like someone struck a cord on an electric guitar and found a way to make the note last as long as possible.

[@edwardrichthofen]

To be honest it sounds like a nascar or a car from midnight club 3

[@aftermarkgaming]

Pulling the Enterprise into My Garage.flv

[@earthling9913]

Yes yes, fellow trekie

[@Cat-fy5lw]

If I showed up at my friend's place in this without them looking outside, they would think a posse of aliens parked outside the house LOL.

[@olg06]

sick

[@BMWCEO123]

Sounds like the Mac OS startup

[@CAESARbonds]

cable clippers please ;)

[@actuallypauseless]

Sounds like a laser, a really annoying one.

[@Cat-fy5lw]

I think it's great. Pedestrians will think a UFO just flew by.

[@abcdfujackask2389]

I am looking forward to the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sound be customizable to melody or talking tone compared to traditional backup alarm that beeps 🚗🎶🔊
So far, I find the feature to be very effective against Karen who don't know how to teach their bratty kids not to run around screaming like a bunch of wild monkeys in the other people driveway/parking lot.

[@Camnpac]

Why would anyone want to hear "futuristic" noises like that? Make it rumble, or snarl, or purr, not whine.

[@irvvine]

Annoying as hell...

[@kalloggs40]

sounds crap

[@szymon6207]

1st 1.000
Ratio 4.000