Supercars Could Go Silent as Hybrids, Self-Driving Take Hold

As political and consumer preferences push carmakers toward a new future, executives from supercar brands admit they are open to assisted-driving technologies—and even to quiet electric engines.

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By Naomi Kresge and Elisabeth Behrmann

April 4, 2016 at 10:03 AM EDT

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The appeal of a supercar used to be relatively straightforward: aggressive styling, a growling engine, and racetrack-ready handling, garnished with an exotic name.

The time-honored formula is being tested as customers demand more than just acceleration and a gawking public. Supercars are starting to feature wireless connectivity, electric-engine options, and even apps to open the doors. Take Bugatti’s latest monster, the Chiron: It comes with an infotainment system that fades to invisibility on the cockpit screens as the car’s speed increases, specs that were absent from its predecessor, the Veyron. Over at McLaren Automotive Ltd., makers of the 866,000-pound ($1.24 million) P1 hybrid, one question on Chief Executive Officer Mike Flewitt’s mind is how to make an electric engine vibrate.

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