The Renault group is working with the famous composer Jean-Michel Jarre and IRCAM to develop the sound design of the brand’s future electric vehicles.
To define the sound of tomorrow’s electric vehicles, Renault has set out to find the right balance, the right balance between the sound it imagines for the mobility of tomorrow and the sound that warns. To achieve this, the manufacturer called on Jean-Michel Jarre and teams from IRCAM (the Institute for Acoustic/Music Research and Coordination). The French brand explains how it polishes its singular identity through the sound of its cars.
We all have something in us by Jean-Michel Jarre
It all started in 2021, when Luca de Meo, the director of the Renault group, met Jean-Michel Jarre on the sidelines of the Munich motor show. At that time, the manufacturer presented its Megane E-Tech, which inaugurated the alliance’s new 100% electric platform. The collaboration between the composer ofOxygen IV has since taken place around the sound experience on board and the sound of vehicles, around two types of sound.
For its recent and future electric vehicles, Renault is working on the reception sequence. These are the sounds made by the car when you enter the cabin. The manufacturer is also developing the famous VSP (Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians), alert sounds that allow electric cars, which are eminently more discreet than thermal vehicles, to signal their presence and warn pedestrians.
Renault, Jean-Michel Jarre and the IRCAM teams then worked on a sound that should represent the experience of positive electric mobility more than speed.
Renault draws inspiration from the artist’s compositions for its vehicles
So far, this work on sound carried out in collaboration with IRCAM has made it possible to create the VSP alert sounds of the Megane E-Tech electric and the ZOE, which suffers from a shortage of semiconductors. Since then, the manufacturer has been inspired by some of the tracks from Jean-Michel Jarre’s latest album, Oxymoron, as a working basis. The tracks were then broken down by the artist to recreate sound textures adapted to mobility.
The experience delights the man at the gigantic concerts. ” For the musician that I am, starting from a real blank canvas is something extraordinary. Living in silence without polluting it is both a challenge and a pleasure “, he commented on his collaboration with the diamond brand.
For the manufacturer, this collaboration is not only symbolic. On the contrary, he sees it as an opportunity to differentiate himself and affirm his identity. on a new territory of expression until now very little explored and very little exploited “, adds the company.
Source : Renault Group
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