Whisper quiet: 3 serene EVs enhanced by Yokohama’s SILENTFOAM technology

Reducing noise pollution and offering a more relaxing ride for drivers, EVs are around 10 dB quieter on average than their ICE equivalents. But how can we take that serenity one step further? Yokohama has the answers…

Sure, electric cars have a few drawbacks, but their benefits are harder to ignore. There’s the obvious: improved environmental credentials, lower running costs, and startling acceleration. And the less obvious: longer service intervals, over-the-air performance updates, and a quieter, more relaxing driving experience than ICE cars. 

It’s that hushed cabin we’re most interested in today, though. Thanks to the absence of any grumbling petrol or diesel powerplant to raise the interior dBs to irritating levels, EVs help ward off the adverse effects of motorway mile munching. Plus, they’re even more serene when it comes to pootling around town. In fact, at these speeds EVs are so muted they must legally emit a noise to warn pedestrians of their presence. 

Which begs the question, why throw it all away by fitting noisy rubber? Join us as we explore three of our favourite tranquil electric contenders and find out why Yokohama’s Advan Sport EV V108 tyre helps to bolster those calming credentials.

Mercedes EQS

Designed as Mercedes’ first truly luxurious electric saloon, the EQS is an S-Class for the digital age. As an EV it’s inherently quiet, but that hasn’t stopped the Stuttgart-based firm from going to great lengths to achieve acoustic perfection. From the double-glazed glass to the added sound deadening in the wheel arches, any road noise in the EQS is eerily muffled.  

And all that calmness should come in handy given the EQS 450+ boasts one of the longest driving ranges of any EV on sale. Thanks to a 118-kWh battery the big Merc can travel an incredible 511 miles between plug-ins, which means you’re more likely to use it for long-haul motorway cruises — and reap the benefits of a near-silent interior.

That’s why we’d suggest fitting a tyre like Yokohama’s Advan Sport EV V108. Designed specifically for electric cars, the EV V108 boasts SILENTFOAM technology to muffle annoying tyre roar at speed. According to Yokohama, this is achieved by filling the inside of the tyre with a type of polyurethane foam to reduce the cavity resonance. Combine this with a compound that’s engineered to maximise EV range, and the Advan Sport EV V108 should complement the Mercedes’s grand-touring abilities nicely.

VW ID.5 

Much like EVs more broadly, VW’s ID.5 isn’t without its flaws. Some criticise the lack of rear seat headroom and poor visibility, while others complain of a slightly cheap-feeling interior.  

However, you can’t fault the ID.5’s cabin refinement. Thanks to an aerodynamic shape which aids both efficiency and wind noise, the family-sized VW glides along in near silence for up to 339 miles. Granted, that’s not as far as the flagship Mercedes (or even some of VW’s more affordable rivals like Ford’s new Capri) but it’s still plenty far enough to appreciate the enhanced refinement over ICE-powered alternatives. 

What’s more, those dissatisfied with the ID.5’s claimed range figures could look to squeeze a few more miles from each charge by fitting Yokohama’s energy-efficient Advan Sport EV V108 — any additional reduction in road noise should come as a welcome bonus.

MG4

But what if you want your cake and eat it too? Enter, MG’s multi-award-winning MG4. Since it’s launch in 2022 the MG4 has been lavished with accolades ranging from ‘Bargain of the Year’ to ‘Best Small Family Car’, and it’s easy to see why.  

Offering genuine driver engagement when you want it, and effortless electric cruising when you need it, the MG4 proves you don’t need to compromise refinement in the pursuit of fun. Much like the Advan Sport EV V108. As with the MG4, Yokohama’s EV-ready tyre proves increased grip doesn’t have to equal increased road noise. 

Building upon its predecessor’s (V107) proven and reliable pattern design, the V108’s High-Rigidity Wide Shoulder boosts grip and response on dry roads, while wider drainage groves improve performance on damp surfaces. And, of course, that cavity foam keeps things civilised on the inside during longer journeys.

Is your EV as quiet as it could be? Try Yokohama’s Advan Sport EV V108 to find out if you’re leaving refinement on the table.  

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