Porsche will not install incorrect gearshifts in its electric cars like Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N, as this would make them “worse”
Despite testing the Ioniq 5 N, Porsche considers the development of synthetic gearshifts pointless
from Brad Anderson
August 27, 2024 at 08:30
- Porsche says there is no point in imitating combustion engines as long as the company still produces models with combustion engines.
- The company claims that using such a system would degrade the performance of its electric vehicles.
- The 718 Cayman and Boxster will transform into electric vehicles in their next generation.
Of all the automakers in the world, few satisfy the wants and needs of car nuts and driving enthusiasts as well as Porsche. After all, the company is the maker of arguably the most iconic sports car of all time, the 911. However, when it comes to electric vehicles, the German brand doesn’t seem interested in incorporating some of the technology of its competitors.
While numerous brands have launched performance-focused electric cars in recent years, Hyundai is one of those that has managed to stand out from the crowd with the Ioniq 5 N. There are several reasons for this, but the most important are the variety of modes and settings that add emotion and driving pleasure, including simulated gear changes.
Read: The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT with 1,092 hp is a racetrack monster that defeats Tesla
Speaking to Australian media recently, Porsche development driver Lars Kern said his team had driven the Ioniq 5 N but decided against adding fake circuits to its electric vehicles.
“Of course we look at what the competition is doing, but our perspective is always: Why should we make something worse?” he said Drive“I mean, because it’s just about how the power is implemented or how it’s applied. The electric motor is better than an internal combustion engine, so we thought there was no reason to simulate what has happened in the past. We looked at it, but… I don’t see the point in making it feel like an internal combustion engine, because it’s not, so we’re not doing it. We don’t want to imitate the internal combustion engine, because we’re still making internal combustion engines, so we don’t see the point in doing it.”
Kern added that while some people see advantages in the Ioniq 5 N’s system, Porsche has no interest in making an electric vehicle feel like a combustion-powered car.
While that’s understandable, there’s really no downside to designing a fake gearstick like Hyundai has done. The Ioniq 5 N requires the gearstick to be engaged, meaning it can still be driven like any other electric vehicle when you’re not driving it on a mountain road or a race track. It’s the best of both worlds. Admittedly, it wouldn’t be easy for Porsche to replicate its excellent PDK transmission in an electric vehicle.
It will be interesting to see how Porsche tries to make the next generation of the 718 Cayman and Boxster, both of which will be electric cars, more exciting. One thing is for sure though – simulated gear changes will not be part of it.
