From Rejection to Reconsideration
In 2023, Porsche made headlines when one of its development drivers dismissed “fake” EV gear shifts as pointless. The reasoning was clear: in combustion cars, each shift interrupts power delivery, while in EVs, that disruption is unnecessary. From a purely engineering standpoint, skipping gear shifts made perfect sense.
But as the EV market evolves, so do expectations. Just because something has no practical value doesn’t mean it can’t enhance the driving experience. Brands like Hyundai have already shown with the Ioniq 5 N that simulated gears can add excitement, even if they aren’t essential.
A New Direction for the Cayenne EV
During a recent prototype drive of the Cayenne EV, Porsche’s prototype fleet manager Sascha Niesen revealed that the company is actively experimenting with the idea of simulated gears. Not only is Porsche open to it—it has already built a prototype with a simulated eight-speed gearbox, complete with authentic V8 engine sounds recorded from a Porsche Cayenne V8.
According to Niesen:
“We recorded noises from both the sound it’s making on the inside for the interior, and for the outside, the sound coming out of the exhaust.”
Fine-tuning was necessary, as EVs and gas engines operate at very different speeds. The team had to modulate the sound to fit the EV’s much larger rev range, making the experience feel more natural.
Virtual Gear Shifts Become Reality
When asked if virtual gear shifts were just theoretical, Niesen confirmed otherwise. Porsche has developed a concept vehicle with shift paddles that delivers a driving feel almost indistinguishable from a traditional gearbox.
“I drove a concept vehicle in March. I wanted to hate it because it’s artificial and fake and everything... But the engineers who worked on it had previously developed dual-clutch and torque-converter automatics, and they made it feel like a proper gearbox. I could not tell the difference.”
This wasn’t a gimmick created by software enthusiasts—it was engineered by Porsche veterans who understand transmission dynamics inside and out.
Giving Drivers the Choice
While Porsche admits that not every EV buyer is asking for simulated gear shifts, the brand sees value in offering it as an option. The system could be toggled on or off, giving drivers the choice between a seamless EV experience or a more engaging, performance-inspired drive.
As Niesen put it:
“From an engineering perspective, it doesn’t make any sense to introduce a gear shift. But then again, you have continuously variable transmissions that did introduce gear shifts because it felt more natural.”
Ultimately, in the world of cars, desire often outweighs necessity. Porsche appears ready to embrace that philosophy, blending technology with emotion to give EVs a driving character that feels less digital and more mechanical.
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