The fifth season of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship has kicked off in style in December 2018 with the SAUDIA Ad Diriyah E-Prix. Since then, the Championship’s 22 participating Gen2 electric cars and drivers have been crisscrossing the planet in 13 races held in 12 cities across 5 continents, from Santiago de Chile to Hong Kong and Mexico City to Paris. The final double header races in New York are planned for July 13-14, promising to bring a spectacular finish to this exhilarating season.
The world’s first fully-electric international single-seater street racing series, the ABB FIA Formula E Championship is an open-wheel electric street racing series recognized by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) as the highest class of competition for electrically powered vehicles. Every year since 2014, the Championship has provided an international showcase for the latest innovations in electric vehicle technology and alternative energy solutions.
“It is our honor and pleasure to continue our support of the BMW i Andretti Motorsport Formula E team for another exciting race season,” said Mathias Brand, Sr. Director, Global Marketing European Customers for Automotive Audio at HARMAN. “Taking part in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship together with BMW i Andretti Motorsport enables us to demonstrate our shared values of innovation and efficiency as well as our commitment to a greener future.”
Over the past three years, HARMAN has confirmed its commitment to sustainable innovation and environmentally friendly design through Harman Kardon’s partnership with BMW to sponsor the BMW i Andretti Motorsport team. Founded by racing legend Michael Andretti, Andretti Autosport is one of the founding members in the all-electric racing series and has contested every race in the series since 2014. This year, Antonio Felix da Costa and Alexander Sims are behind the wheel of a new Gen2 challenger, the BMW iFE.18.
With AVAS (Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System) regulations set to take effect in Europe on July 1 and in the United States later on in September, the 2019 Championship is also an opportunity to shine a spotlight on electric mobility and the importance of sound both inside and outside the car. Developed in response to the possible threat to pedestrians and other vulnerable road users posed by the silence of the electric powertrain, AVAS regulations require automakers to ensure a certain minimum level of audible “noise” emitted by all electric and hybrid vehicles (EV) with four or more wheels.
As a leader in audio and sound management solutions for the car, HARMAN has developed multiple solutions that enable its customers to meet AVAS regulations while creating a unique sonic “personality” for their brand or vehicle model. Among these solutions is HARMAN’s own AVAS system, external Electronic Sound Synthesis (eESS). Part of the HALOsonic® active noise management solutions portfolio, HARMAN’s eESS creates a specific sound that is projected from speakers positioned at the front and rear of the vehicle, warning pedestrians of the vehicle’s presence.
“HARMAN further strengthens its commitment to sustainable mobility by supporting the ABB FIA Formula E Championship for the third consecutive year,” Brand added. “This year’s Championship is also an ideal opportunity for us to discuss one of our favorite topics, which is the role of sound in, out, and around electric vehicles, and the revolutionary solutions that HARMAN has developed to meet the unique requirements and challenges of e-vehicles.”
As part of its participation in the ABB FIA Formula E, Harman Kardon is presenting insights into the sound of e-mobility and the captivating quality of beautiful sound. With the race speeding onward to New York City, HARMAN invites you to discover the story of the sound of e-mobility and to learn more about the sound of tomorrow’s smart cities.
Check out the episodes of the Harman Kardon ‘Sound Check’ series: https://www.youtube.com/user/harmankardon