From Car and Driver · Brendan McAleer · · 1m
Mazda CX-6e External Speaker Profanity Feature
Mazda CX-6e EV lets drivers yell profanities at pedestrians via external speaker.
In brief
Mazda CX-6e EV lets drivers yell profanities at pedestrians via external speaker. Mazda CX-6e electric vehicle includes a feature allowing drivers to broadcast profanities through an external speaker system. Originally reported by Car and Driver.
Mazda CX-6e External Speaker
Mazda CX-6e has an external speaker that plays warnings and allows drivers to type and broadcast messages.
“In order to alert cyclists and pedestrians of its presence, the Chinese-built Mazda CX-6e has an external speaker”
Driver-Activated Profanity System
Drivers can type any message and have it read aloud or broadcast directly through the external speaker.
“It can also directly broadcast anything the driver says, like a mobile PA system”
China's Safety Concern
Engineers in China added the feature after early EV safety concerns about near-silent operation.
“In the early days of EV adoption, one potential safety hazard flagged was their near-silent operation”
Australia Test Results
Australian journalists found the CX-6e has no guardrails on its external audio system.
“When it arrived in Australia, some Australian journalists decided to test just what kind of guardrails were installed”
Unintended Uses
The system allows drivers to yell profanities at pedestrians and other road users through the external speaker.
“Want to call someone an idiot from the comfort of your driver’s seat? No problem”
Potential Fixes
Mazda may issue an over-the-air patch to limit messages but keep an Easter Egg for the Blues Brothers.
“Presumably, Mazda will soon issue an over-the-air patch if there are too many complaints”
The bottom line
Mazda CX-6e electric vehicle includes a feature allowing drivers to broadcast profanities through an external speaker system.
