Munich, Germany - 11 MAY 2022 – HARMAN International Industries, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., focused on connected technologies for automotive, consumer, and enterprise markets, is pleased to announce the launch of the Fiat New 500 “La Prima by Bocelli” with premium sound engineered and designed by JBL and in partnership with global icon Andrea Bocelli. With this launch, the New 500 La Prima will become the first city car ever equipped with JBL’s groundbreaking “Virtual Venues” technology, ensuring unrivalled listening experiences for drivers and passengers alike.
Designed for listening
The New 500 La Prima is equipped with a JBL premium sound system offering drivers and passengers an iconic, premium car with a “Made in Italy” feel and JBL premium sound so crisp and clear that it is worthy of being mastered by Andrea Bocelli, the most popular living tenor in the world. It delivers a one-of-a-kind audio experience that enhances the silence of an electric car.
“When Fiat and JBL come together in the New 500 “La Prima by Bocelli,” the result is a fusion of great design, exhilarating sound, and impeccable quality. And that is exactly what this car is—a legendary Italian icon of style with a revolutionary sound system mastered by Andrea Bocelli,” said Christian Sobottka, President of HARMAN Automotive.
Virtual Venues technology delivers immersive audio curated by Andrea Bocelli
Featuring four venues hand-selected by Maestro Bocelli, the Virtual Venues feature in the JBL premium sound system offers listeners a virtual-reality audio experience that changes the acoustic characteristics of the car depending on the chosen location, transporting listeners to unique listening environments.
My Music Room – An intimate musical experience as if the artist was playing your favorite song right in front of you.
My Recording Studio – Pure acoustics and beautiful tones of a real recording space created specifically for music and recording.
Giuseppe Verdi Opera House, Pisa – Feel the spectacular nature of music in a unique theatre setting. It’s as if you were sitting front and center, enjoying a live performance.
Open-Air Arena – Hear the unmistakable acoustics and energetic feeling of an open-air arena.
Using proprietary technology, Virtual Venues transforms any music file to match the sound signature of celebrated audio performance spaces, enhancing the emotional impact of the music. From the intimacy of the “Room” sound setting to the lively atmosphere of the “Recording Studio” setting, to the elegance of the “Theater” setting, to the intensity of the “Arena” setting, Virtual Venues allows listeners to enter into their music like never before. Smart individualization and the ability to spontaneously adjust audio playback to suit personal moods further differentiates Virtual Venues, providing listeners with an entirely new audio landscape and an unforgettable listening experience, every time.
A feature-rich premium sound system
As a longstanding partner with the world’s biggest music events, and a vast array of international stars of sound and stage, JBL brings nearly eight decades of expertise to its sound systems, ensuring the clarity and depth needed to enable listeners to experience a concert in their car. The JBL premium sound system in the Fiat New 500 “La Prima by Bocelli” features 7 high-performance speakers including 2 tweeters, 2 midwoofers, 2 rear door full range speakers and 1 trunk subwoofer, plus an 8-channel amplifier with an output of 320 watts. Simple and intuitive to use, the system is equipped with a multitude of cutting-edge technologies. Highlights include Virtual Center technology, which processes each speaker’s audio signal to guarantee a stereo stage with a center image directly in front of each listener; Intelligent Speed Control Volume, which works with an advanced algorithm to maintain the perceived music volume and balance at any vehicle speed; Variable EQ, which changes its algorithm according to whether the car’s roof is open or closed in order to provide a smoother audio experience in any roof position; and five sound modes (stereo and four Virtual Venues).
Partnerships that amplify the pleasure of driving with Matteo Bocelli’s ‘Tempo’
As the perfect driving companion, Matteo Bocelli, son of Maestro Andrea Bocelli, introduced the new single “Tempo”, last week. It is written and performed by Matteo Bocelli and is the soundtrack of the new communication campaign for the launch of the New 500 "La Prima by Bocelli.” This partnership reinforces the strong link between FIAT and music, a perfect combination of design, art and creativity that expresses all the excellence of Made in Italy in the world.
Documentary
Do you want to learn more about the JBL Premium Audio System Mastered by Andrea Bocelli? And how our exclusive "Virtual Venues" technology transports listeners to unique listening environments hand-selected by Bocelli in the Fiat New 500 La Prima? Take a look at this documentary, where Olivier François, CEO of Fiat and Global CMO of Stellantis, joined the Maestro Andrea Bocelli and our acoustic engineers to tell the story behind the New 500 “La Prima by Bocelli”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZJjoA-Ibno
ABOUT JBL
JBL creates the amazing sound that shapes life’s most epic moments. From iconic events like Woodstock and concerts at Madison Square Garden, to games at Yankee Stadium and weekend road trips, JBL elevates listeners’ experiences with award-winning audio that lets them make the most of every moment. With 75 years of unmatched professional credentials and industry leading innovation, JBL has expertly blended a bold vision of the future with the passion and talent of engineers and designers around the globe. JBL’s Signature Professional Sound is the leading technology that powers major pop culture events, and the brand has partnered with the world’s top talent across music, sports and esports.
ABOUT HARMAN
HARMAN (harman.com) designs and engineers connected products and solutions for automakers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide, including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions; and services supporting the Internet of Things. With leading brands including AKG®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson® and Revel®, HARMAN is admired by audiophiles, musicians and the entertainment venues where they perform around the world. More than 50 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and connected car systems. Our software services power billions of mobile devices and systems that are connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from work and home to car and mobile. HARMAN has a