For decades, the sound of driving has been part of the BMW identity. From the roar of iconic straight-six engines to the immersive worlds created by IconicSounds Electric, BMW has never treated sound as mere background noise. It has always been an expression of character, emotion, and well, FREUDE.
With electric driving, this philosophy has only deepened. Because when engines go silent, new opportunities arise. The classic roar of the motor may be gone, but what remains is the chance to create soundscapes that are not only more intentional and emotional, but more purposeful than ever before, enhancing how the car feels to drive.
Few know this better than Renzo Vitale, Creative Director of Sound Design at BMW Group. To Vitale, quiet roads are not empty. They are full of possibility: to create, to move, to feel something new.
“Driving pleasure isn’t only about speed or control,” he says. “It’s also about how the experience resonates with you. And sound is one of the most powerful ways to shape that resonance.”
HypersonX represents the next evolution in sound design for BMW. It’s not about recreating the past, but about composing an entirely new voice for the electric age. A voice that feels alive, adaptive, and tuned precisely to support the driving experience.
Built on years of research and acoustic engineering, HypersonX delivers a carefully orchestrated sonic experience tailored to every situation. Each sound, from the Welcome Sound when you unlock the car to the touch-clicks inside the cabin, is designed with purpose, combining emotional resonance with functional clarity. For example, Efficient/Silent Mode delivers a deliberate quietness, designed to let efficiency take centre stage. The near absence of sound creates a calm and focused experience.
Blends elegance, warmth and the core dynamic DNA of BMW.
Unleashes the full character of HypersonX – with a richer sound spectrum, dynamic multi-stage feedback during acceleration and an energetic pulse that helps the driver intuitively read the vehicle’s behaviour.
Before designing car sounds, Vitale composed music and explored the science and the philosophy of sound itself. In his role at BMW, he now draws on his experiences to create soundscapes that elevate the modern driving experience.
“For me, sound starts with sketching. It’s a creative process before it’s a technical one,” Vitale says.
“Sound is the most direct connection to emotion,” he says. “When I drive, I don’t just want information. I want inspiration. The right sound can make that happen.”
Sound, however, is about more than emotion. It’s about clarity, rhythm, and spatial awareness. The right soundscape helps drivers understand their car, respond intuitively to performance cues, and feel connected to the machine beneath them. A task that is complex, but exactly therein lies its reward, he says.
“Sound allows us to celebrate complexity and make the world a more elegant place.”
“I see the car as a performative art installation,” he explains. “If cities were museums, every car would be an artwork within it,” Vitale adds.
All screens display example values, which – like certain features – may vary depending on drivetrain and equipment. Screen content and design elements may also differ from the final production version or vary according to drivetrain and equipment specifications.
HypersonX is not merely a creative project – it is the sonic expression of BMW human-centric technology, merging emotion with innovation.
Every element is designed with precision to support the driving experience: giving feedback, guiding emotion, and enhancing the sense of joy behind the wheel. But also to make drivers feel.
“We uncover what’s already there,” Renzo says. “The tension, the movement, the story - and we give it a voice.”
Because real driving pleasure is about confidence, connection, and clarity. And as BMW moves into the electric future, that truth remains unchanged. Only now, it is expressed through a soundscape that’s equal parts emotion and engineering, made to elevate every moment of the drive.
“Ultimately, sound allows us to elevate the driving experience,” Vitale says, “To inspire drivers - so they can inspire us back.”
Author: David Barnwell; Art Direction: Verena Aichinger, Lucas Lemuth, Madita O’Sullivan; Photos & Video: BMW; 3D & Motion: John Henderson
