The Hyundai bing-bong has been banished

The Hyundai Group’s infuriating bing-bong has been muted!

Going forward, all new Hyundai, Kia and Genesis models will be fitted with a mute button to easily silence their audible overspeed warning.

And it appears likely that many models from the Korean auto giant’s three brands will be able to have the function retro-fitted.

The update has been introduced with the facelifted Hyundai Tucson mid-size SUV, which is now on sale.

“We can expect that feature to be rolled out on future Hyundai models,” said Hyundai Australia product planning manager Sam Dabestani.

“In terms of existing models, which ones and how it is applied that’s still to be worked out.”

Separately, Kia Australia communications chief Alyson McDonald confirmed the mute button will also appear in Kia models.

“Kia will be introducing it too as it’s a group initiative,” she said.

“At this point in time, I can’t confirm which Kia model it will debut on. It will be available as a software update but, again, I don’t have any specific timing on this.”

The bing-bong has been heavily criticised by Australian motoring media since it first started appearing in Hyundai Group models several years ago.

Not only is the audible noise annoying, but so is the process of shutting it down, which requires drilling into the infotainment touch-screen in a multi-step process every time the car is restarted.

It still has to be addressed every time the car starts, but the process is now relatively easy via a long press of the mute button on the right-hand steering wheel spoke.

A short press of the mute button silences the stereo.

The bing-bong overspeed alert – or Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, as it is officially known – arrived in Australia as a carry-over from a European regulation. The muting solution is being introduced internationally.

“Within speed limit assist there are multiple settings and what it [mute button] does is just take it from the audible setting to the quiet setting,” explained Hyundai Australia product development manager Tim Rodgers.

“So you still will get speed limit information come up on the cluster and it will still read the signs and you can then read and change your cruise control. It just won’t make that noise.”

The overspeed alert is not the only bing-bong emitted by Hyundai Group vehicles. Lane Keeping Assist also issues an audible warning if the car has been judged to breach lane markings. The warning is still switched off via a button on the left-hand spoke.

Despite the addition of the overspeed alert mute button, Hyundai Australia communications chief Bill Thomas defended the bing-bong as a feature some customers appreciated.

“Lots of feedback from dealers also says a lot of customers don’t mind it and find it quite useful,” he said.

“[After a] Lot of chats we have had with people on the sales floor, it’s not universally disliked.

“It seems to have gathered its momentum in terms of media reaction, but it’s worth pointing out [that a lot of people actually like it].”

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