The sound has to fit to the driving conditions. We had to find a way to make it sound like a real car,” he said.
Adding fake shifting to EVs is a controversial topic among car enthusiasts. Some argue that it’s unnecessary and takes away from the purity of electric propulsion, while others believe it adds to the driving experience and can help bridge the gap between traditional internal combustion engine cars and electric vehicles.
It seems that Porsche has come around to the idea, at least in the case of the Cayenne EV. The company’s engineers have developed a prototype that is so convincing, even they can’t tell the difference between the simulated engine noise and a real one.
While Porsche has not officially confirmed that fake shifting will be added to its next-gen EVs, the fact that they have developed such a convincing prototype suggests that it is a real possibility. It will be interesting to see how Porsche’s loyal fan base reacts to the addition of this feature, and whether it will become a standard feature on future electric models.
For now, we can only wait and see what Porsche decides. But one thing is for sure—fake shifting in EVs is no longer off the table for the German automaker.
The automotive industry is constantly evolving, especially with the rise of electric vehicles (EVs). Porsche, known for its high-performance sports cars, is now considering adding a unique feature to its electric SUV, the Cayenne Electric – virtual gear shifts.
In a recent interview, a Porsche representative, Niesen, mentioned the possibility of introducing “virtual gears” to the Cayenne Electric. This feature would allow drivers to experience the sensation of shifting gears, similar to a traditional internal combustion engine vehicle. Niesen explained that the number of virtual gears could vary, depending on Porsche’s decision.
However, implementing virtual gears would require additional hardware, such as shifter paddles, to be added to the Cayenne Electric. Despite this challenge, Porsche has already tested this feature on a prototype vehicle earlier this year, and the results were impressive.
Niesen shared his experience of driving a concept vehicle with virtual gears, admitting that he was initially skeptical. He was surprised to find that the virtual gear shifts felt like a traditional torque converter gearbox, showcasing the expertise of the engineers behind this innovative technology.
While some may argue that adding fake shift points to an EV is unnecessary from an engineering standpoint, Niesen compared it to the introduction of continuously variable transmissions (CVT) in the past. Automakers often implement features that mimic traditional components to provide a familiar driving experience to customers.
Porsche believes that offering virtual gears as an option for the Cayenne Electric would cater to a diverse range of buyers. It allows enthusiasts who appreciate the feel of shifting gears to enjoy a similar experience in an electric vehicle, showcasing Porsche’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.