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Imagine feeling the pulsing beat of your favorite song as you drive. This is now a reality with the 2024 Range Rover Sport SV Edition One, which has introduced a sensation akin to a 4D movie experience with their Body and Soul seats, also humorously known as BASS.
Land Rover’s newest luxury SUV has partnered with Subpac, a Canadian company that creates “tactile audio systems,” to deliver an innovative audio experience that makes the seats vibrate to the music, offering a more immersive feeling than what you’d find in comparable high-end vehicles like the Bentley Bentayga.
The initial skepticism surrounding the feature is met with detailed explanations by Land Rover’s Vehicle Engineering Director, Matt Becker. He argues that the system is not merely a gimmick and can enhance the overall driving experience.
Kristin Shaw
More than just shaking seats, Land Rover has designed the BASS system to potentially impact the driver’s mental and physiological health positively. They’ve included a series of transducers in the seats that could influence the heart rate variability (HRV), which is associated with cardiovascular fitness and a resilience to stress, according to Harvard Medical School.
“Adding this sensory level detail to the drive is what Body and Soul seats aim to achieve,” says Becker.
Becker himself admits his initial doubt, but his own experience in the vehicle led him to appreciate the system’s ability to significantly reduce driver fatigue over long distances.
Kristin Shaw
Duncan Smith, the Program Group Lead, further clarifies that the BASS effect persists even at lower volume levels, providing depth to the music through the tactile sensation.
“It’s such a unique concept that often people are perplexed until they experience it firsthand,” explains Smith.
While not every genre of music might fit the system—some tracks may not feel enhanced—the right type of song can truly showcase the BASS system’s capabilities. For instance, the pulsating beats of a Djrum track or the heavy riffs of Rammstein’s “Du Hast” revealed the full potential of BASS, even feeling like a loss when turned off.
Kristin Shaw
However, BASS is not one-size-fits-all. Smith acknowledges that some, particularly those susceptible to motion sickness, might not appreciate the effect, though, surprisingly, he himself has not experienced such discomfort despite being prone to it. The system can be adjusted to suit individual preferences, with different levels of intensity.
The integration into Range Rover’s line is seamless, enhancing the already impressive 29-speaker, 1,430-watt Meridian audio system for a truly novel listening experience.
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FAQ – Haptic Audio Seats in 2024 Range Rover Sport SV
- What are Body and Soul seats?
Body and Soul seats, also known as BASS, are a feature in the 2024 Range Rover Sport SV Edition One that incorporates tactile audio technology causing the seats to pulse in synchronization with the vehicle’s music system.
- How do the haptic seats in the Range Rover Sport SV work?
The seats contain transducers that convert the audio signal into vibrations, allowing the driver and passengers to ‘feel’ the music in addition to hearing it.
- Can the intensity of the haptic feedback be adjusted?
Yes, the intensity of the haptic feedback in the BASS system can be adjusted from level one, which has light, subtle pulses, to level five, which has heavy reverberations.
- Is the BASS system beneficial for long drives?
According to Matt Becker, the Vehicle Engineering Director at Land Rover, the BASS system can reduce driver fatigue significantly on long journeys.
- Will everyone enjoy the BASS experience?
No, the experience is subjective. While some may find it enhances the driving experience, others, particularly those prone to motion sickness, may not appreciate the added haptic feedback.
Conclusion
The innovative BASS or Body and Soul seats in the 2024 Range Rover Sport SV aim to redefine the in-car entertainment experience. While it represents a significant technological leap in the luxury car market, the real-world value of the haptic seats will depend on individual preferences and sensitivity. As this feature rolls out, it’s clear that Range Rover is pushing the envelope in terms of what a luxury SUV can offer, perhaps setting the bar for future advancements in automotive sensory technology.
