Toyota plans to develop a simulated manual transmission on its future EVs to catch the attention of manual-tuned customers. The automaker is gradually transiting to sustainable automotive solutions and already has a growing EV lineup. The new electric vehicles will come with fake manual transmissions and may even simulate some manual transmission features.
The new drive by Toyota is indicative of the strong attachment customers still feel for manual transmission vehicles. It would allow drivers to simulate manual-based driving through a fake clutch that sends signals to the engine and create a feeling of switching gears. Toyota has already patented the technology for this feature in its new EVs.
A clutch pedal will be included in the EVs and will support downshifting as well. The driver can use the manual transmission module to slow down the vehicle instead of depressing the brake pedal. The new Toyota EVs will be able to provide jerks and stops for drivers who never learned to handle a manual car.
The cars will simulate the consequences of using the clutch poorly but won’t however stall ensuring safety as expected. The addition of the simulated manual architecture to future Toyota EVs is just for the fun of manual transmission enthusiasts. Drivers will have the option of disabling the fake manual transmission at any time.
Toyota has not made any official statement relating to the simulated manual transmission on future EVs. There are also no indications yet on the scheduled kick-off of the technology.
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(source)
