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Traditionally, powertrain sound quality targets have been set by making judgements about wide open throttle acceleration sounds played in a listening room. This paper describes a recent project in which fourteen target sounds were evaluated against twenty-six existing cars including competitors and current models, using the interactive NVH Simulator approach. It explains how a minimum data method, based on existing historical data, was used to create and validate a simulator model for each car which could be freely-driven but had a limited driving envelope. The study highlights the role of key programme decision makers and summarises the benefits offered by interactivity in the process of developing, evaluating and signing off vehicle sound quality targets.

In a traditional NVH process it is not possible to experience the NVH of a new vehicle until physical prototypes have been built. An interactive NVH Simulator provides a means of evaluating the binaural sound and tactile point vibrations obtained from measurements, or CAE predictions, or a combination of both, much earlier in the design cycle. This paper describes how interactive evaluations are carried out in an NVH Simulator, illustrated by two recent applications of using it early in a new vehicle programme. In both examples engineers, attribute leaders and managers, who were not NVH experts, could be confidently involved in deciding which were the most appropriate target sounds, or which was the most cost effective design.