Hiscox Insurance provides coverage for pre-1980 cars, motorcycles and airplanes in the EU. They recently commissioned a study by psychologist David Moxon to assess human response to physical stimuli. In this instance, 40 participants, both men and women, were asked to listen to engine sound recordings of a Maserati, Lamborghini, Ferrari and… VW Polo. (No mention of which models, presumably expensive classics, nor the Polo’s mill.) Salivary testosterone was measured before and after listening sessions. Reportedly 100 percent of women and 50 percent of men experienced a rise in testosterone after listening to the Maserati soundtrack. Some 60 percent of men responded likewise to the Lamborghini. And some participants had a drop in testosterone after hearing the Polo. (Testosterone levels exhibit some natural variation and saliva levels are less accurate than blood levels.) Even if this study was reproducible, there’s not going to be a stampede to collectible cars. Sorry, Hiscox. Affordable and wearable aphrodisiacs can be had for less money. Active electronic mufflers if/when available open up the possibility of downloadable exhaust tunes. [thanks to ppellico for the link]
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They actually paid money for a study of the obvious?
She can redline my engine.
I told RF I will now pipe soft sounds of these engines though the house at night and leave a scrap book with exotic car pictures at the bedside.
Think it will help?
All those wasted nights as a kid in my volkswagen bug trying to get lucky!
Damn!
No wonder!
So…in San Fran, the Maserati can go both ways?
What would Richard Simmon’s drive?
File this under the category of minutiae that will never make it into a Jeopardy question. I’d love to see the project justification that freed up the funding for this inane piece of “research.” If I had stock in Hiscox Insurance, I’d probably sell in favor of Geico. Although the Gecko may not elicit testosterone responses, he probably sells a heckuva lot more insurance!
When they listened to the sound of a Prius, the men developed breasts.
I’ve heard of worse studies. For instance, the drafting of mathematical formulas used in determining the forces involved in a penguin’s projectile shitting. Some poor fellow had to devote months to making a serious paper on the subject.
This sound study seems downright useful next to that.
Cicero, you’re on a roll, keep it up!
If you are married and are already cruising around with your wife in your Maserati, will your wife grow a mustache?
Is anybody else finding it hard to believe that the name of the company that designed this ‘study’ is pronounced “his cocks”?
Cicero: “When they listened to the sound of a Prius, the men developed breasts.”
Sweet! I’d never leave the house.
I’ve heard of worse studies.
Part of the problem is that you’re usually required to do original work as part of your PhD thesis. There’s only so much original and majestic material to go around before someone has to resort to a thesis on toe fungus.
Cicero :
When they listened to the sound of a Prius, the men developed breasts.
Hahaha! Luckily for me, I don’t listen to my Prius. I’m too busy with the stereo cranked on some Spanish salsa station on XM!
psarhjinian :
I’ve heard of worse studies.
Part of the problem is that you’re usually required to do original work as part of your PhD thesis. There’s only so much original and majestic material to go around before someone has to resort to a thesis on toe fungus.
I just can’t stop laughing…
I thought the Prius was silent. Maybe you meant New Beetle or Mini.
The Prius is classic tree in the forest – if it makes a noise, does anyone give a crap?