03:06 05-12-2025

Porsche preps virtual transmission for Taycan: simulated gear shifts from 2027

Porsche plans to bring simulated gear shifts to its electric models—a technology that gained visibility after Hyundai’s experiments with the Ioniq 5 N. Company sources indicate the “virtual transmission” is slated for series production in 2027, with the next-generation Taycan, expected toward the end of 2026, set to debut it.

Dealers have already been briefed, and sales teams are being trained to explain why an EV might benefit from the sensation of changing gears. Preorders for the Taycan with this feature are expected to open in August 2026. Crucially, this won’t be a mere menu gimmick: Porsche is focused on feel, aiming for behavior reminiscent of a traditional torque-converter automatic rather than a playful animation. If the execution is right, it could add the layer of engagement many drivers miss when switching to electric.

The feature will be switchable in the infotainment system. There’s a key caveat: it won’t be available on all Taycans. Cars built before 2027 lack physical shift paddles, and without them the intended realism would be compromised. Development has been handled by the engineers responsible for PDK transmissions, with the goal of recreating not only sound and response but also the car’s dynamics during each simulated upshift and downshift. That choice signals a serious attempt to make the timing and torque modulation feel authentic, not theatrical.

Alongside this, the Taycan will receive an updated PCM system that borrows interface elements from the upcoming electric Cayenne, though without that model’s curved display. It remains unclear whether the shifting tech will extend to the Macan and Cayenne, as those models currently lack paddles, but the rumored electric Cayman is expected to adopt it. Porsche does not officially confirm the rollout, saying instead that it will evaluate such features based on test results. The stance is cautious, yet the groundwork being laid with dealers hints at a clear direction.