Lexus NX and our ULTRA soundproofing aimed at maximum noise reduction

Best soundproofed car in the Czech Republic? With a high probability, it’s this Lexus NX from Ahifi. We don’t like to use superlatives, but this time we’ll make an exception and dare to make that claim. This is in fact the very first implementation of our new Ultra package, which represents the theoretical maximum in automotive soundproofing. It’s not just about the scope of work or the materials used, which represent the current technological peak. It’s also about the level of detail we go into during installation. The job included, among other things, soundproofing the dashboard — a task that in the Czech Republic is carried out at this scale systematically only by Ahifi. The paradox is that Lexus is often considered the benchmark of quiet travel. The reality after disassembling the vehicle is considerably more sober. Although the manufacturer’s marketing promotes a premium impression and high comfort, from the construction point of view the soundproofing is not nearly as different from regular Toyota models as one might expect. And the demanding owner of this car quickly discovered that he expected a significantly higher level of acoustic comfort from his new Lexus.

So why is our Ultra soundproofing truly „ultra“? First and foremost, for this program we use the most effective materials available on today’s market. Even more important is their correct combination, chosen thickness and the method of application, supported by knowledge of the specific problematic areas of the given vehicle. The scope of work also goes significantly further than typical implementations. We soundproofed not only all standard body parts such as the floor, all doors, the luggage compartment, inner and outer wheel arches, the roof, the hood and the dashboard, but we also focused on details that have a substantial effect on the final acoustic comfort. We soundproof all interior plastics, all pillars, reinforcements and body cavities, we address joints between plastic trim and the body and even the contact surfaces between the materials themselves.

An important part of the whole installation was the aforementioned soundproofing of the dashboard, which we consider one of the most demanding yet also one of the most effective tasks in soundproofing. It’s not only about eliminating and preventing unwanted noises and rattles in this part of the interior. It’s also an extremely effective way of reducing noise from the engine bay and partly from the front wheel arches and the road. As a result, noise from the front tires is suppressed from several directions simultaneously (the front part of the floor, outer and inner wheel arches and the dashboard), which has a decisive impact on the perceived quietness inside the cabin.

Thanks to the experience of our technicians, we can complete such a demanding installation in just two working days. And the result? According to our measurements, the Ultra package repeatedly manages to reduce interior noise by more than 5 dB at highway speed, which in practice is a very high value. Noise level changes according to a nonlinear logarithmic relationship, where each 1 dB represents roughly a 1.26-fold reduction in noise. Put plainly – a 5 dB reduction corresponds to more than a threefold reduction of interior noise compared to the stock condition. That is a difference anyone can notice even without instruments. Just take it for a drive.