Porsche is introducing artificial gear shifts in its electric vehicles, with the 2027 Taycan being the first model to feature them: Exclusive.

Porsche is introducing artificial gear shifts in its electric vehicles, with the 2027 Taycan being the first model to feature them: Exclusive.

      The latest car news and reviews, no nonsense.

      Our daily newsletter, free of charge, delivers the important stories directly to you every weekday.

      It appears that Porsche not only gained valuable insights by benchmarking the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N but also appreciated what it discovered and will implement these lessons in its electric vehicles. The Drive reports that Porsche plans to incorporate one of the standout features of the Ioniq 5 N: artificial gear shifts in its EV lineup, beginning with the 2027 Taycan expected to launch late next year.

      An anonymous source stated that Porsche informed dealer principals about this development in November during a meeting in Atlanta, and Porsche dealership trainers have been preparing sales teams for the arrival of the cars in the latter half of 2026. Orders for the 2027 Taycan, featuring the so-called “virtual transmission,” are anticipated to open next August.

      We believe the feature will be switchable on and off at the driver’s convenience. Notably, our source mentioned that the artificial gear shifts will not be available for the 2026 and earlier Taycan models through a software update, as they lack the physical paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. Porsche did not directly comment on the news, but their response didn’t explicitly deny it either.

      “Porsche continuously tests and evaluates potential new technologies as part of its research and development process,” a spokesperson stated. “The decision to bring any of these technologies to market will depend on the insights gained from these exploratory tests. The same considerations apply to the potential future of a virtual transmission.”

      It’s important to note the term “virtual transmission.” That’s terminology from Porsche, not us, and it’s the first time we’ve heard it from them. So, what are the chances this will be the actual branding? It certainly sounds more appealing than “fake shifts,” even if PVT feels a bit too close to CVT. Perhaps we could suggest V-PDK? Or maybe the name proposed by Alex Roy over nine years ago when he anticipated this development: Porsche KünstlichSchaltgetriebe (PKS) or Porsche Synthetic Gearbox.

      Previously, in August, we reported that Porsche had developed a functioning EV prototype with simulated shift points, calibrated by engineers from their renowned dual-clutch and automatic transmission teams. One of the prototype fleet managers mentioned that the company was exploring this concept after receiving feedback from test drivers suggesting it could provide a more “natural” driving experience in EVs.

      “I wanted to dislike it because it’s artificial and fake. I was concerned that those developing it were software experts without a solid understanding of transmission mechanics,” he said. “[However], they genuinely know what they’re doing. They managed to replicate the feel of a traditional torque converter gearbox. I couldn’t tell the difference.”

      For reference, here’s a video demonstrating how it operates in the Hyundai.

      It remains unclear if the upcoming Cayenne Electric or Macan Electric will feature a virtual transmission, as neither currently has paddle shifters. However, it is reasonable to assume that both vehicles will eventually receive an interior upgrade to accommodate this technology. We would also wager that the forthcoming electric Cayman will incorporate it.

      The inclusion of paddle shifters for the virtual transmission in the 2027 Taycan will coincide with a major update to the PCM (Porsche Communication Management) infotainment system. While the Taycan is unlikely to adopt a curved touchscreen like the 2026 Cayenne Electric, the updated PCM is expected to integrate some elements from the new SUV’s interface.

      The Taycan originally launched in 2019, became available for purchase in 2020, and received enhancements in power and range for the 2025 model year. Stay tuned for Porsche’s official announcement regarding EV gear shifts sometime next year.

      Have information about future products? Reach out to us at [email protected]

Porsche is introducing artificial gear shifts in its electric vehicles, with the 2027 Taycan being the first model to feature them: Exclusive. Porsche is introducing artificial gear shifts in its electric vehicles, with the 2027 Taycan being the first model to feature them: Exclusive. Porsche is introducing artificial gear shifts in its electric vehicles, with the 2027 Taycan being the first model to feature them: Exclusive. Porsche is introducing artificial gear shifts in its electric vehicles, with the 2027 Taycan being the first model to feature them: Exclusive.

Other articles

The Artificial Noises in Scout’s Electric Vehicles Are Derived Directly from Authentic American Engines | Carscoops The Artificial Noises in Scout’s Electric Vehicles Are Derived Directly from Authentic American Engines | Carscoops From the sounds of door slams to the echoes of grain silos, Scout deployed its sound engineers to create a distinctive soundscape. A video captures a driverless Waymo navigating through a Los Angeles crime scene while police shout commands. The LAPD stated that the event concluded swiftly without interfering with the arrest. Waymo referred to it as an opportunity for learning as its testing expands across the country. Although autonomous driving has made significant advancements in the past decade, there are still areas for improvement. Waymo, a leader in this field, needs to address some issues, including how to respond to live crime scenes. Recently, a video surfaced showing one of the company's robotaxis calmly traversing an intersection while police were attempting a felony arrest with guns drawn. Content creator Alex Choi shared footage of the event, where the car can be seen making a left turn at an intersection. Nearby, a parked truck with an open driver’s door is on the side of the road, and just next to it, a suspect lies face down on the ground, being held at gunpoint by officers. Interestingly, the robotaxi slows down and seems to pause as it passes by the suspect, despite being in the line of fire at that moment. The video concludes after the vehicle departs, while the police move in to apprehend the suspect. Police informed NBC that the incident occurred around 3:40 a.m. and that the presence of the robotaxi did not alter their tactics during the arrest. In response, Waymo indicated that the entire encounter lasted only 15 seconds. A spokesperson emphasized the company's commitment to safety, stating, "Safety is our highest priority at Waymo, both for individuals who choose to ride with us and for those we share the streets with. When we face unusual occurrences like this, we learn from them as we continue to enhance road safety and operate in bustling cities." As of mid-2025, the company has accumulated over 100 million miles of autonomous driving and maintains a solid safety record, though it hasn't been free from peculiar incidents and PR challenges. Earlier this year, pranksters managed to redirect 50 Waymos to the same intersection in San Francisco, causing a traffic jam. In another event, five Waymo vehicles were set on fire during protests in Los Angeles. The scheme involved 50 people gathering at San Francisco's longest dead-end street to simultaneously order a Waymo. Credit: Alex Choi A video captures a driverless Waymo navigating through a Los Angeles crime scene while police shout commands. The LAPD stated that the event concluded swiftly without interfering with the arrest. Waymo referred to it as an opportunity for learning as its testing expands across the country. Although autonomous driving has made significant advancements in the past decade, there are still areas for improvement. Waymo, a leader in this field, needs to address some issues, including how to respond to live crime scenes. Recently, a video surfaced showing one of the company's robotaxis calmly traversing an intersection while police were attempting a felony arrest with guns drawn. Content creator Alex Choi shared footage of the event, where the car can be seen making a left turn at an intersection. Nearby, a parked truck with an open driver’s door is on the side of the road, and just next to it, a suspect lies face down on the ground, being held at gunpoint by officers. Interestingly, the robotaxi slows down and seems to pause as it passes by the suspect, despite being in the line of fire at that moment. The video concludes after the vehicle departs, while the police move in to apprehend the suspect. Police informed NBC that the incident occurred around 3:40 a.m. and that the presence of the robotaxi did not alter their tactics during the arrest. In response, Waymo indicated that the entire encounter lasted only 15 seconds. A spokesperson emphasized the company's commitment to safety, stating, "Safety is our highest priority at Waymo, both for individuals who choose to ride with us and for those we share the streets with. When we face unusual occurrences like this, we learn from them as we continue to enhance road safety and operate in bustling cities." As of mid-2025, the company has accumulated over 100 million miles of autonomous driving and maintains a solid safety record, though it hasn't been free from peculiar incidents and PR challenges. Earlier this year, pranksters managed to redirect 50 Waymos to the same intersection in San Francisco, causing a traffic jam. In another event, five Waymo vehicles were set on fire during protests in Los Angeles. The scheme involved 50 people gathering at San Francisco's longest dead-end street to simultaneously order a Waymo. Credit: Alex Choi Mitsubishi's North American division incurred a loss in the April-September timeframe, and a potential partnership might aid in reversing this trend. Robotaxi Drives Through LAPD Crime Scene While Suspect Is Held at Gunpoint | Carscoops Robotaxi Drives Through LAPD Crime Scene While Suspect Is Held at Gunpoint | Carscoops A video captures a Waymo vehicle without a driver maneuvering through a crime scene in Los Angeles while police issue verbal instructions. What Actually Occurs with Your Tires When You Drive at High Speeds What Actually Occurs with Your Tires When You Drive at High Speeds We drove a Porsche on a glass surface so you can observe how your tires react while cornering. Subaru May Finally Be Prepared To Address The One Issue Limiting The Outback | Carscoops Subaru May Finally Be Prepared To Address The One Issue Limiting The Outback | Carscoops A new powertrain choice could soon provide the ICE-only Outback with the enhancement that many drivers have been anticipating. Remove the snow from your wheels as soon as possible. Remove the snow from your wheels as soon as possible. Snow and ice can become lodged in your wheels, disrupting your tire balance. Even a small amount, like a quarter ounce of snow, can cause the car to feel unbalanced.

Porsche is introducing artificial gear shifts in its electric vehicles, with the 2027 Taycan being the first model to feature them: Exclusive.

Porsche plans to adopt a "virtual transmission" for its electric vehicles to enhance driver engagement, following Hyundai's example.