The Electric Lexus LFA Will Feature Artificial Engine Sounds and Possibly Simulated Gear Changes.
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Just because a vehicle runs on electricity doesn’t mean it can’t be exciting and enjoyable. In fact, this appears to be the message from Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda to his engineering team.
During the Lexus LFA Concept's debut on Friday, project manager Takashi Doi told The Drive that the electric supercar would indeed make sound, responding with “of course” when asked.
“Sound creation and development is very important. As a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), developing the sound is crucial,” Doi stated.
According to Doi, work on what the car will sound like is already in progress, but the final direction has not yet been determined. He acknowledged that the team is "well aware of various BEV sports cars on the market and is evaluating" what competitors have done compared to what his team plans to deliver. However, it's unlikely that the LFA will mimic the sounds of a Hellcat.
“Sound development gives us a chance to start with a clean slate. This is something we take very seriously. We need to decide whether to mimic traditional engine sounds or create something entirely new,” Doi mentioned.
As for the sound development of the electric Lexus supercar, Doi noted, “That’s a directive from Morizo,” referring to Toyoda’s racing alias when he competes for Toyota Gazoo Racing.
The interior of the electric Lexus LFA concept. Joel Feder
Regarding fake shifts or a manual transmission, Doi commented, “Fun and emotion are crucial, but so is performance. We are exploring all options, ensuring each aspect aligns with the specific mission of the car.”
Hyundai's N-Shift programming in the Ioniq 5 N has already shown that it can slow the high-performance EV on a racetrack. Nevertheless, it’s entertaining and remarkably realistic. Should we focus on lap times or enjoyment? With the ability to disable these features at the press of a button, having both in one vehicle is indeed plausible.
In 2022, Toyota patented a manual transmission designed for EVs and followed up in 2023 with another patent for an EV manual transmission that can stall, enhancing realism.
It's unnecessary to install a fake transmission in an electric car to create artificial shifts. For instance, Porsche is set to update its Taycan sports sedan for 2027 with a simulated transmission.
Whether the electric LFA will incorporate fake shifts remains undecided, but sound will certainly be a key element. The only remaining question is, what will the electric LFA sound like? What should it sound like?
Toyota covered expenses for travel, accommodation, and raw fish, which I chose not to consume, to bring you this report.
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The Electric Lexus LFA Will Feature Artificial Engine Sounds and Possibly Simulated Gear Changes.
Artificial noise is in the works for Lexus's upcoming electric supercar, but synthetic shifts are still being evaluated.