Relationship between Vehicle Exterior Styling and Sound Quality Rating to the Acceleration Sound

Abstract

In this study, an influence of vehicle styling impression on acceleration sound quality rating was investigated. Luxury or sporty vehicle images were presented to the participants as the acceleration sounds were being replayed. The results indicated the participants rated the acceleration sound presented with the luxury vehicle image as louder and less luxury than that with sporty vehicle image. However, they rated the sound sportier with the sporty vehicle image. Consequently, it was clarified that rating to sound quality changed depending on the vehicle styling but the tendency was different in each term for the sound quality evaluation.