Porsche Rejects “Pseudo” Gear Shifters in EVs

Lars Kern, Porsche’s development driver, revealed that the company considered introducing simulated gear shifts for EVs but quickly dismissed the idea. Porsche believes such concepts undermine the genuine EV experience.

For car enthusiasts worldwide, few things match the thrill and tactile sensation of shifting gears in a manual transmission internal combustion engine car. However, with the rise of automatic transmissions, the mechanical necessity has become more of a luxury for enthusiasts, and electric vehicles (EVs) take this a step further by completely eliminating the need for a gearbox thanks to the instant torque delivery of electric motors.

Hyundai Adopts Gear Shifter in EV

Amid this, Hyundai’s recently launched sporty hatchback, the Ioniq 5 N, considers the sensation of shifting gears an important part of driving enjoyment and features a pseudo gear shifter called the “N Power Shift.”

This “pseudo” shifter essentially controls output and torque levels, giving the driver the illusion that mechanical gears exist. However, using this pseudo shift reportedly makes the Ioniq 5 N slightly slower.

Porsche Development Driver’s Perspective

In an interview with Drive magazine, Porsche development driver Lars Kern said that Porsche also considered equipping EVs with pseudo shifters but ultimately abandoned the idea, judging it to be “counterintuitive.”

Kern reportedly said:

“We looked into it, but… we don’t see the point in making it feel like an internal combustion engine. Because it’s not an internal combustion engine. So we won’t do that.” He continued, “We test drove the Hyundai N and considered it.”
“Clearly, some people think it’s a good idea, and others think it’s a bad idea.”

Porsche’s Stance on EVs

Porsche believes the instant torque and linear power delivery of electric vehicles are qualities to be celebrated in their own right and should not be modified to mimic the characteristics of internal combustion engine cars. Kern went further, stating that equipping EVs with simulated gear shifters would detract from the authentic electric vehicle experience.

This is a compelling argument, considering EVs offer unique advantages and driving experiences that many love—often preferred over the intense gear-shifting experience of internal combustion cars.

Porsche’s stance can be seen as a strategy to emphasize the intrinsic appeal of electric vehicles and differentiate them from traditional internal combustion cars. By focusing on creating new driving experiences that leverage EV characteristics, Porsche may be aiming to maintain its uniqueness and competitiveness in the electrification era.

Going forward, it will be interesting to see how other automakers approach EVs. Porsche’s decision is likely to gain strong support from many Porsche owners and car enthusiasts as a demonstration of commitment to pursuing the true essence of EV appeal.

As a current Porsche EV owner myself, I can say that EVs should be EVs—the overwhelming, seamless acceleration is simply the best. Besides, there’s no need to artificially simulate “pseudo” shifts in an EV when Porsche’s combustion engine cars boast the world-renowned lightning-fast “PDK” transmission.