System and method for producing an audible alert for a vehicle

A method for controlling a vehicle to emanate an audible alert, the method comprising:

• determining when the vehicle is operating;
• and
• controlling a speaker system in the vehicle to emanate the audible alert outside of the vehicle for a period of time when the vehicle is operating based on stored information that is representative of an internal combustion engine noise profile, such that the audible alert has a sound profile that includes a simultaneous emanation of a first audible frequency component having a first frequency which is within a normal human detectable upper range of frequencies and emanates at a first sound pressure level that is greater than a first representative sound pressure level of the internal combustion engine noise profile at the first frequency, a second audible frequency component having a second frequency which is within a normal human detectable lower range of frequencies and emanates at a second sound pressure level that is greater than a second representative sound pressure level of the internal combustion engine noise profile at the second frequency, and a third audible frequency component having a third frequency that is within an ambient noise range outside of the vehicle and emanates at a third sound pressure level that is less than a third representative sound pressure level of the internal combustion engine noise profile at the third frequency.

A method for determining a vehicle sound profile, the method comprising:

• operating a first test vehicle having an internal combustion engine to run while the first test vehicle is in a motive gear and is stationary;
• measuring a first sound profile emanating from the first test vehicle during the operating at a first distance from the first test vehicle;
• controlling a vehicle sound production system in a second test vehicle to emanate a second sound profile from the second test vehicle when the second test vehicle is running in an electric vehicle mode while in a motive gear and stationary;
• measuring a second sound profile emanating from the second test vehicle during the operating at a second distance from the second test vehicle that is substantially equal to the first distance from the first test vehicle;
• and
• creating the vehicle sound profile based on the second sound profile in relation to the first sound profile.