Ferrari patents three-motor electric car with sound generator.

Two patent applications suggest ways in which Ferrari plans to compensate for the lack of engine sound in future electric vehicles.

One patent application, filed by Ferrari last year and published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on March 21, relates to a triple-motor EV with sound generators, plus an inlet near each motor to feed sound into the cabin. It also has outlets.

This is not simply about generating noise to add to the drama. Just as drivers of internal combustion engine cars use the sound of the engine revving to signal acceleration and speed, this method can give the driver a better understanding of what the car is doing at a given moment, Ferrari claims in its application.

A second patent filed by Ferrari and published by the USPTO on the same date as the first patent deals with a different method of generating sound. In this case, the air flowing over the car is channeled through a resonator to generate sound. In its application, Ferrari suggests that air could be drawn in through the grille or an air intake could be placed under the car.

Other automakers are currently using other sounds in EVs as a substitute for exhaust sounds, but these sounds are usually artificially generated and played through speakers.

Ferrari would also not be the first automaker to launch a three-motor performance EV. The Lucid Air Sapphire and Tesla Model S Plaid both feature such powertrains, while the Tesla Cybertruck and GMC Hummer EV use tri-motor powertrains for off-road applications.

Ferrari has also previously filed a patent for an in-wheel electric motor, which is somewhat unusual. Chinese automaker Dongfeng is the only automaker to claim homologation of an in-wheel motor for passenger cars. Road Town's Endurance pickup truck also used in-wheel motors, but it was more for commercial fleets, and only a handful were built before the company declared bankruptcy.