It’s not often that a mass-market automaker like Hyundai catches the attention of Porsche, but that’s precisely what happened last month. Frank Moser, who leads the 718 and 911 model lines, said that his team learnt a lot from spending time behind the wheel of the brilliant Hyundai Ioniq 5 N EV. One of the Hyundai’s features that stood out was its simulated gearshifts, which add a layer of engagement missing in most EVs. Porsche said it would be exploring the use of something similar in the upcoming electric 718, but now it appears as though the tech—referred to by Porsche as the “virtual transmission”—will find its way into another Porsche EV first: The full-size Taycan.
2027 Taycan First to Debut New Tech
Porsche
According to The Drive, Porsche’s fake gearshifts will arrive first for the 2027 Taycan, sometime late next year. The publication cited an anonymous source, who claimed that Porsche shared this plan with dealer principals in Atlanta last month. This was done to prepare sales teams for the arrival of the new technology; orders for the 2027 Taycan are expected to open next August.
The source also confirmed that the simulated shifts won’t be available for 2026 and older Taycans via a software update, as these models won’t have the required paddle shifters mounted to the steering wheel. We must stress that this information comes from an anonymous source, and Porsche itself hasn’t confirmed anything yet, but the automaker didn’t deny the news, either.
“Porsche continuously tests and evaluates potential new technologies as part of its research and development process,” a spokesperson told The Drive. “If and when these technologies may or may not be brought to market is decided based on the insights gained from these exploratory tests. The same applies to consideration of a potential virtual transmission in the future.”
The term “virtual transmission” was used by Porsche itself, which may be the official name of the technology.
Taycan is About to Get Even Better
Porsche
While it may be strange that the newer Cayenne Electric won’t be the first to receive the virtual transmission, perhaps it simply wasn’t ready in time for that SUV’s launch. In the Taycan, Porsche already has a proven EV that’s widely regarded as one of the most engaging vehicles to drive in its class.
From the base 402-horsepower Taycan to the outrageous Turbo GT with 1,019 hp, every version of the electric sedan exhibits responsive handling and manages to mask its mass better than most EVs. The addition of simulated shifts will surely add to the enjoyment of driving the Taycan, further distancing it from more comfort-biased rivals.
The transmission is expected to filter down to all other Porsche EVs over time, with the automaker already confirming that simulated shifts and virtual sounds are being explored for the next 718.
What it Means
Porsche
Many manufacturers have now mastered the art of building EVs that are quick, refined, fast to charge, and with a useful range on a full charge. The next phase looks to be engineering EVs that recapture some of the driving joy found in gas-powered models. It would almost be strange for Porsche, one of the benchmark automakers for driver’s cars, not to be at the forefront of this trend.
Besides Porsche and Hyundai, BMW is also determined to make its next generation of EVs more fun to drive. The new iX3 is a case in point with its Heart of Joy system, one of the vehicle’s four superbrains that manages multiple parameters to provide drivers with the most precise, engaging driving experience.
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