I searched around for a bit but couldn't find any info on whether the Model S will have noise cancellation technology. Would it work for the wind and road noise that we would experience at highway speeds?
I hadn't heard of this but don't think it will be as much a problem as something like the Roadster. Tesla was able to design the car from scratch and I'm sure they took this into account.
If by "active" you mean something akin to the Bose noise-cancelling headphones, nothing like it has been mentioned. Wind noise should be sharply reduced, compared to the Roadster and other high-Cd vehicles, because of the superb aerodynamics of the Model S.
I too have not seen anything on noise cancellation myself. I would have to disagree if we all are wondering about the feature. That would be a cool feature but it will add cost to the overall product.
I meant to say that Tesla designed the car from scratch and took things like aerodynamics, and therefore wind noise, into account so something like active voice cancelation shouldn't really be needed.
The passive sound-deadening in the interior is quite remarkable. When I first got to sit in a beta Model S at the opening of the Bellevue, WA store, I was immediately struck by how acoustically "dead" the interior is. The noise of the huge crowd outside was substantially muted, even before the doors were shut. When they were shut, ahhhh! I think they learned their lesson on this from the Roadster, with its need for retrofitted insulation, and designed it right up front, just as dsm363 says above.
When other cars advertise active noise cancellation they are matching it to engine noise - not road noise or wind noise. Generalized active noise reduction is very hard to do for more than one seating location at a time (without headphones). Noise reduction either needs to be at the listening position or at the location of the noise source.
Are there other cars that have this feature, like the Bose headphones? It seems like a decent idea, but also seems like it wouldn't be legal. You still have to be able to hear things like sirens and car horns coming from outside!
It's sometimes tough to see what someone is referring to when they quote the entire post which is what I did. I could have been a little more clear. Anyway, I don't think wind noise will be something to be concerned about with the Model S.
I can think of several passengers for whom I would love to have active VOICE cancellation! Tesla could hit all their sales goals if they can figure this feature out.
Active noise cancellation is starting to be used in aircraft cabins. One such system is available for the Bombardier Global Express. See Airspace Technology: BOMBARDIER GLOBAL EXPRESS