Anyone worried about the wind noise

[E90400K]

The Autopian addresses that issue with Chris Barman and she basically says the noise issue is really from the pre-production calibration of the manufacturing process where they're trying to dial in all the tolerances so the panels fit tighter. You can clearly see a gap where the roof meets the back glass allowing a BUNCH of wind noise into the cabin.

She says the NVH team is still working to make it production ready. I also noted in The Autopians review of the Slate that it seems like they've really dialed in the vehicle dynamics and now they're looking at NVH.

It's kinda refreshing to see that they're making sure this is a composed and fun-to-drive truck FIRST and then working on stuff like wind noise and NVH. This should be a proper fun car to zip around town and in the canyons.

A spec-class Slate truck autocross course would be really fun.

We will see how far the engineering budget takes the effort to the NVH out of the chassis. Chasing NVH can get expensive. The "V" part should be easy.

 

[tubes]

I shared in an earlier thread that I was a Saturn early adopter. NVH was harshly criticized by the press upon release, after production begun. I got one of the originals before Saturn went back and continued to work on NVH. I never thought it was a problem. Saturn did make the cabin noise better in mid model year and ended up screwing up other things, namely installing unreliable motor mounts which broke pretty quickly (within 3 years).

My point? Better to get criticism now and fix before production than mucking around with things next April.

 

[latetothebox]

Yes, wind noise is a concern I have, particularly in the SUV back seat. I'll get creative with dynamat, etc. if necessary. Growing up in the backseat of my Mom's Isuzu Amigo, having an MGB as my first long term car, and motorcycle racing all taught me loud noise is not your friend.

 

[danielt1263]

This opinion piece was from someone who drives a Chevy Bolt RS which is, in his words, "almost fully loaded".

The RS Bolt starts at $33k. Since he said his car is "almost" fully loaded, I'll assume he has the tech package which brings the MSRP of his car to $35k... And he can't tow anything, or haul 1500# of anything.

The base Bolt, the next cheapest EV on the market is $29k, so when he talks about "other ~$25k vehicles", he's not talking EVs.

But I've said before and I'm guessing the author of the article would agree with me. If you want an inexpensive EV, you can buy a people mover with bells and whistles but it can't really haul stuff, or you can buy a stuff hauler (Slate) without the do-dads and only two seats, but it can carry a load. Get the one that suits your needs.

However, I invite you to go into the maker and load up a Slate SUV with $5k worth of creature comforts so it reaches price parity to his car and see what you think. Sure, it still won't have four doors...

 

[TPL]

Wind noise is totally normal and expected in a truck, and I agree that it should be less bad in production.

The real dealbreaker for me is when I discovered that the seats in the Slate don't have robot arms with fake lips on them to reach around and give me little kisses as I drive. What is this, the dark ages? Even rough and tumble cowboy-types like me with our giant stetson hats, cowboy boots, and designer pre-stressed blue jeans need little kisses from our truck! I can't even!

Back to Ford I guess.

 

[E90400K]

My Jeep XJs have mud terrain or aggressive A/T tires and 20 year old door seals. I'll manage with some wind noise.

When I had a '95 YJ, I'm not sure if there could be a louder vehicle ever made. Zero NVH abatement was engineered into the first gen Wrangler. LOL.

 

[E90400K]

Wind noise is totally normal and expected in a truck, and I agree that it should be less bad in production.

The real dealbreaker for me is when I discovered that the seats in the Slate don't have robot arms with fake lips on them to reach around and give me little kisses as I drive. What is this, the dark ages? Even rough and tumble cowboy-types like me with our giant stetson hats, cowboy boots, and designer pre-stressed blue jeans need little kisses from our truck! I can't even!

Back to Ford I guess.

Do not get a Bronco, it does not have the seats that you are seeking. Just sayin'

 

[GrizzlysGhost]

Do not get a Bronco, it does not have the seats that you are seeking. Just sayin'

 

[E90400K]

I shared in an earlier thread that I was a Saturn early adopter. NVH was harshly criticized by the press upon release, after production begun. I got one of the originals before Saturn went back and continued to work on NVH. I never thought it was a problem. Saturn did make the cabin noise better in mid model year and ended up screwing up other things, namely installing unreliable motor mounts which broke pretty quickly (within 3 years).

My point? Better to get criticism now and fix before production than mucking around with things next April.

I did not own a Saturn personally, but my older brother owned three in total over 16 years or so; he left the brand when they went GM corporate. Much like I am with the Slate, he was an early adopter as you were. I spent a lot of time in his Saturns and found the NVH acceptable for the era the Saturn was built in. Perhaps the Slate is the unknown grandchild of the original Saturn. My personal autogeek opinion is GM (as typical) developed a great platform then abandoned it when it was nearly perfected. I think the spaceframe/plastic panel architecture is the way all light-duty cars and trucks should be constructed.

Another of my brothers was a first adopter of the Fiero. Perhaps the Fireo is the great grandaddy of them all.

 

[E90400K]

Must be a Montana thing...

 

[metroshot]

We will see how far the engineering budget takes the effort to the NVH out of the chassis. Chasing NVH can get expensive. The "V" part should be easy.

Wondering if Slate will use a dual laminated glass for windshield and window glass ?

Ford uses "SoundScreen® acoustic windshields and doors are specifically engineered performance parts installed in nearly all Ford and Lincoln models".

I love my Ford EV noise level at high speed driving.

 

[007]

Wondering if Slate will use a dual laminated glass for windshield and window glass ?

Ford uses "SoundScreen® acoustic windshields and doors are specifically engineered performance parts installed in nearly all Ford and Lincoln models".

I love my Ford EV noise level at high speed driving.

I highly doubt it. Slate will use the cheapest glass they can source.

 

[007]

It looks like there's a gap at the top of the rear window frame in this video.

 

[FloppaEnjoyer8067]

EV’s also have the illusion of more noise as the noise from the engine is gone. It makes it so you can hear every single bump squeak and rattle.

My company sells test equipment for automotive and other industries. We sell special NVH (Noise vibration and harmonics) machines specifically because it is more noticeable in EV’s.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

It looks like there's a gap at the top of the rear window frame in this video.

That's for ventilation and aerodynamics.

There are no problems; only opportunities.