Car enthusiasts have long complained that electric vehicles lack driving pleasure. They think electric cars are quiet, samey, and soulless. It’s true that electric cars usually only have one gear and can’t be shifted like a traditional car. Even powerful electric cars don’t produce the same blood-heating vibration and roar as a V8 engine when running on oil.
To cater to driving enthusiasts, some automakers are starting to copy the most exciting elements of traditional cars into their latest electric models. Hyundai, Toyota and others are experimenting with this simulation technology. However, BMW says it’s not interested in including simulated gearboxes or fake engine roars in future electric cars.
At a recent press conference, reporters asked BMW Chief Technology Officer Frank Weber whether his engineers were developing simulated gearboxes for electric vehicles. Weber laughed and dismissed the idea: “Yes, we could probably simulate shifting. A digital shifter,” he joked. BMW’s technical director added that the company has more important things to do when it comes to the driving experience of its next generation of electric vehicles. He said BMW hopes to take advantage of electric technology and develop a system that simultaneously controls the vehicle’s wheels, motors and chassis. This is a top priority.
“The work of simulating fixed gears and shifting, we might do in the afternoon after we’ve done other work,” he said. “You’d be surprised at the difference in how the next generation car drives.”
While Weber was joking, other car companies were serious about comforting car enthusiasts who were feeling the loss of their beloved gasoline engines. Toyota has developed an electric car with an actual gear shifter that can even turn off the engine. Drivers of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N can experience the bumpy feel of shifting gears and can even choose different engine roars from the menu to wake the neighbors. And Dodge, a brand best known for its thunderous V8 muscle cars, recently added a transmission and a loud “exhaust note” to its concept electric car.
While this isn’t a top priority for BMW, that doesn’t mean it won’t ever happen. It is noted that the head of BMW’s high-performance M division told the media earlier this year that his team is studying artificial shifting, vibration and acoustic cues to help drivers of future M-brand electric vehicles make better judgments.
