VroomBox: pimp your ride's engine sound

Let's face it: you're probably not going to get that macho roadster you always wanted. But at least your current ride — even if it's a mere minivan — can sound like a '71 Barracuda, thanks to the Vroom Box. Currently under development, the Vroom Box is essentially a digital engine-sound generator that you sync to your own engine. Hook up a set of speakers under the car, and you're set. Sure, it's a cheap gimmick. But we have to admit, at some level, this appeals to the kid in us: it's the adult version of sticking playing cards in your bicycle's spokes to simulate engine noise.

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Sweet, now I can throw this into my car with my fake spinners and home made useless spoiler and kick some ass!

[daniel free @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

hmm, how long untill someone hacks it to use the "crazy frog" sound for the engine ?

[TZK @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

This is about as stupid as socking a neighborhood nun in the colon

[asdf @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

niice! give your delorean the v8/bttf sound without an engine swap :)

[Stoneman @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

I was at Wal-mart last night to buy a fan. Next to me were a younger couple buying 14 inch plastic fake spinner hub-caps. I kid you not. They cost $45 for 4 and I almost burst out laughing when I saw this. You know? That sound generator would make the *perfect* accessory for those trailer trash mofos.

[nedge2k @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Finally!

I don't know whether anyone remebers this but about 6/7 years ago Lotus built a similar sytem which was wired into the head unit and allowed you to change the in-car engine sounds. IIRC it was on Top Gear being tested on a crappy old Mazda. Haven't heard anything since tho. I'd get this system but i wouldn't have it running to external speakers.

[uhm... @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

I'd buy it if I could get one to sound like Luke's speeder in Star wars

or keepng to that theme how about a pod racer in Episode one or a tie fighter...

Maybe even a herd of horses (or cows) running/stampeding

a steam train....

just some thoughts... you could add an extra dail and have all the different sounds for some variety.

[Arpad @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

LOL they make these with turbocharger + blow off valve sounds.

[ruckus @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

No way Stoneman! A couple... buying fake spinner hub-caps!!! The most hilarious but godawful thing I've ever heard!!! I tell you what, if that was me I would have gone home and had a few beers with my buddys, maybe dressed up in the old white cloth of intoloerance and hunted down those no-shame trailer trash mofos and burned them alive. OR I might just act my age and not come off as such a cunt.


Nedge2k I remember that too - a better idea than blasting it outside.

[mongoose @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Darn, another one of my inventions a done deal! One of these days....

Mine would have been for the "New" Beetle with playback of the "Old" Beetle engine sounds.

Now my next invention will eliminate the blind spot caused by the A-pillar using.......

[Eric @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

It's a ricer dream come true. No more boring a hole to accommodate a 6" exhaust pipe (no wait that still looks cool). Paired with speed enhancing v-tec stickers and a rear spoiler specially engineered to add downforce to front wheel drive vehicles, this will create the fastest 1992 Honda Civic ever.

[Carlton Bale @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

I remember something similar being sold in Crutchfield over 10 years ago. This is just a rehash of a product that has already come and gone.

[Andrew @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Downforce isn't only useful over the drive wheels. Many RWD race cars make use of downforce in the front of the vehicle. With that said, most cars you see on the street do not need a wing.

But back to the original topic: I remember seeing a similar product years and years ago in European car, I think it was. It was a system that allowed you to change the sound of your car simply by changing chips in the unit. I don't know how well it worked, but I guess there IS a market for this sort of thing.

[rhombus @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

If there were some way to hack this to make the engine sound like a TIE Fighter or one of those hovercars from The Jetsons, I'd totally get one of these.

[sean barrett @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

man im totally getting this if you can do different sounds!

just imagine knight rider, formula one car, rally car, harley, sebulba's podracer, scooter,...

or maybe something like a womans scream that gets louder the higher the revs go!

[jcblack @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

BOooooo. Sounds no better than 99% of car games these days. They just can't get it right!

[Bill V @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

lol... if this was cheap, I would get it solely for the laughs. If I could flip a switch and make my Chevy Malibu sound like a mustang, I would giggle like a school girl.

[TheDude @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Ok....this is probably the coolest thing I have ever seen....next to the gay dude with the fake intercooler on his grand am or the ricer kid with the fart can....I'm going to beg my rich mommy to buy me one tomorow.....thanks for supporting ricers everywhere.....

~peace~
the dude

p.s.

my names petey and i have giant balls

[Mr. Not-EZ-2-M-Press @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Face it- I am NOT EZ 2 impress, but even if i was. God. What a lame ass invention. I make better stuff that comes out of my ass than what yaal peeps are makin..just-god.

[Bruno Marinatos @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

It's fully sick I want one but does it fit on Astralain VN comodor?

[Guido Hatzis @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Eh Bruno, what for you want this on the chick mobile mate?

[Bruno Marinatos @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

The chicks go for V8 mate. This is cheaper and I can hook up da subbies sic mate.

[Guido Hatzis @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Hey yor ol man spin kik yo in da head mate when he find out what you spen on that car mate

[Bruno Marinatos @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

what he dont no mate who cares. Hey you go Metro tonite and we cruse Lygon mate.

[Guido Hatzis @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

yeh mate. Metro mate. sic

[Bruno Marinatos @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

sic mate

[Guido Hatzis @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

sic

[docca @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Brazilian company Pixtar (http://www.pixtar.com.br) has been selling "Digital Turbos" for a few years... also check out their other product, the Pix207, a horn with some ?-ridiculous sounds.