A method for generating an audio signal for a synthetic noise of a motor vehicle is provided. An audio signal for the synthetic noise of a motor vehicle is also provided. In one step of the method, a signal is provided that represents a noise. Moreover, a fundamental frequency is specified that represents an operating rotational speed of the motor of the vehicle. In another step of the method, several filters are applied to the noise signal. These filters each have a mid-frequency linked to the specified fundamental frequency via an order factor. At least several of the order factors are whole numbers, so that these filters filter the harmonic components of the fundamental frequency. The order factors and the amplitude curves of the filters are selected according to the sound characteristic of the motor vehicle noise that is to be synthesized. The noise signal weighted by the filters constitutes the audio signal for the synthetic noise of the motor vehicle as a function of the operating rotational speed of the motor of the vehicle.