Rolls-Royce’s New Car Was So Quiet at First, It Nauseated Drivers

Why the luxury brand’s engineers had to pipe in a special “whisper” for the ultimate cocoon on wheels.

The 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost.

Photographer: James Lipman 

Searching for the “perfect” automotive sound idea is nothing new.

Mercedes-Benz was bragging about its signature door “thunk” six years ago. Porsche has manufactured a particular sound piped into its cabin to augment the otherwise near-silent ride of the electric Taycan sedan. The deep rumble of the Lamborghini Aventador can be identified from blocks away.