The competition to attract enthusiasts and prove that electric vehicles can be thrilling is escalating. Different manufacturers are taking various approaches, from Dodge’s Charger Daytona to Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N and 6 N. Now, Porsche has acknowledged that Hyundai excelled in creating simulated gear shifts so well that the German carmaker, often regarded by enthusiasts as a definitive authority in the performance car arena, has set Hyundai’s standard as it imitates the Korean company’s innovations.
The Drive revealed in December that Porsche plans to roll out its virtual transmission—its term, not ours—with artificial gear shifts for the 2027 Taycan. Anticipated orders for the 2027 Taycan are set to commence in August, and it seems highly probable that this virtual transmission feature will soon be transferred to the electric Cayenne and Macan models.
But does sound actually make an EV enjoyable? Do fake gear shifts contribute? Are legacy manufacturers merely scrambling for tricks, while new companies like Lucid and Rivian concentrate on the features, software, and driving dynamics that their target audience desires?
In the latest episode of The Drivecast, it’s a discussion on enjoyment versus electric vehicles: how Porsche finds itself mimicking Hyundai, what the various strategies automakers are attempting portend for the upcoming generation of EVs, and why this is more significant than you might assume.
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