Porsche tests EV paddles with simulated shifts and sound
Porsche experiments with paddles, simulated shifts and V8-inspired EV sound
Porsche tests EV paddles with simulated shifts and sound
Inside Porsche’s experimental EV: steering-wheel paddles, simulated gear changes, and a V8-inspired synthetic soundtrack that may reach the Cayenne EV.
2025-08-28T09:37:41+03:00
2025-08-28T09:37:41+03:00
2025-08-28T09:37:41+03:00
One of the enduring knocks on electric cars is their lack of emotion. There’s no engine roar, no click from a shifting gearbox. Porsche now seems intent on changing that.The German brand has built an experimental EV fitted with steering-wheel paddles, a synthetic engine soundtrack, and simulated gear changes. For the project, engineers recorded a Cayenne V8 and tailored its character to suit electric torque delivery. According to Porsche executive Sascha Niesen, the result felt unexpectedly convincing: the transmission came across like a traditional automatic, and telling the simulation from a real drivetrain proved difficult.This technology isn’t confirmed for production yet, but it could make its way into future Porsche EVs, including the Cayenne EV. Engineers note that adding paddles to such models would be straightforward.Porsche isn’t alone here: Hyundai already sells the Ioniq 5 N with artificial shifts, and Ferrari is reportedly developing a similar setup for its first electric car.Cautious optimism feels appropriate. A simulation won’t replace the visceral pull of a combustion engine, yet for drivers chasing a bit more character, a Porsche that talks back—however digitally—could be far more engaging than sterile competitors.
porsche ev, simulated gear shifts, synthetic engine sound, steering-wheel paddles, cayenne ev, porsche electric car, v8-inspired sound, transmission simulation, ioniq 5 n, ferrari ev
2025
Michael Powers
news
Porsche experiments with paddles, simulated shifts and V8-inspired EV sound
Inside Porsche’s experimental EV: steering-wheel paddles, simulated gear changes, and a V8-inspired synthetic soundtrack that may reach the Cayenne EV.
Michael Powers, Editor
One of the enduring knocks on electric cars is their lack of emotion. There’s no engine roar, no click from a shifting gearbox. Porsche now seems intent on changing that.
The German brand has built an experimental EV fitted with steering-wheel paddles, a synthetic engine soundtrack, and simulated gear changes. For the project, engineers recorded a Cayenne V8 and tailored its character to suit electric torque delivery. According to Porsche executive Sascha Niesen, the result felt unexpectedly convincing: the transmission came across like a traditional automatic, and telling the simulation from a real drivetrain proved difficult.
This technology isn’t confirmed for production yet, but it could make its way into future Porsche EVs, including the Cayenne EV. Engineers note that adding paddles to such models would be straightforward.
Porsche isn’t alone here: Hyundai already sells the Ioniq 5 N with artificial shifts, and Ferrari is reportedly developing a similar setup for its first electric car.
Cautious optimism feels appropriate. A simulation won’t replace the visceral pull of a combustion engine, yet for drivers chasing a bit more character, a Porsche that talks back—however digitally—could be far more engaging than sterile competitors.
