Borla Exhaust Partners with AudioControl to Create EV Exhaust Sound System

Borla Exhaust has formed a new partnership with AudioControl, a provider of aftermarket audio solutions, to create the Borla Active Performance Sound System for electric vehicles, the companies announced.

David Borla, VP of marketing and sales at Borla, aimed to bring the sensory excitement of driving to EV drivers, the company said. With its many years of audio processing expertise, AudioControl was able to develop the technology needed for Borla to add that excitement back to the EV driving experience.

Borla’s Active Performance Sound System utilizes a proprietary Borla algorithm that takes into consideration the vehicle’s speed, power, RPM, torque and load with zero latency, the company said, and was developed using professional recordings of actual Borla equipped internal-combustion (ICE) vehicles.

According to Borla, the system uses real-time data from the EV’s internal computer and generates a hyper-realistic ICE soundtrack that matches the EV motor status and other vehicle dynamics. The system pairs with a mobile app where drivers can select from multiple Borla sound technologies including ATAK, S-Type and Touring all with full control over volume and other characteristics.

“Sound, vision and touch are the 3 senses we use for sport driving and without the real-time feedback of motor and vehicle dynamics through soundwaves and vibration much of that experience is missing,” said Borla, who prior to his 25 years at Borla Exhaust was a professional musician. “This product is actually an instrument in more ways than one. It’s like an audio tachometer that provides drivers with that real-time feedback, and it’s also like a musical instrument that plays an exciting soundtrack which enhances the driving experience, giving the vehicle personality and a sense of soul.

“We were honored when our OEM partners recommended us to Borla. Once the two companies met, we were convinced it was the perfect marriage of capabilities to bring this amazing new product to life,” said Don Zaney, vice president of product development at AAMP Global, the parent company of AudioControl. “Throughout the development and testing process it was our number one goal to maintain the highest standards in our areas of expertise; CAN bus integration, digital sound processing and amplification technology”

The vehicle-specific kit is expected to start shipping by Fall 2022 for the Mustang Mach-E, then later made available for Ford Lightning and other EV models. It will be on display at the 2022 SEMA show in Las Vegas in both the Borla booth (Central Hall, #22765) and AudioControl booth (North Hall, #10929).

By A.J. Hecht

A.J. Hecht is the managing editor of THE SHOP and host of the In Gear with THE SHOP podcast. Have an idea, a tip, or a question you’d like to see answered? Contact A.J. at ahecht@cahabamedia.com.