Porsche fakes it till it makes it with simulated shifts and soundtrack V8s for EVs

Porsche has finally changed its tune on fake gearshifts in EVs with a new prototype Cayenne.

For years, the brand insisted that EVs didn’t need simulated transmissions, arguing that the instant torque of an electric motor was superior.

But times change, and so do customer expectations.

Now, Porsche is experimenting with its own ‘virtual gear shift’ system, complete with a soundtrack borrowed from real V8 engines.

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Porsche backtracks on the need for engine sound

This shift in philosophy is a big deal.

Just two years ago, Porsche’s test driver Lars Kern shot down the idea, saying there was ‘no reason’ to simulate something from the past.

That seemed to settle it. Enthusiasts expecting paddle shifters in a future 911-shaped EV were left disappointed.

But in the background, Porsche engineers were busy developing something entirely new.

The breakthrough came in the form of a Cayenne EV prototype fitted with the tech.

Sascha Niesen, Porsche’s prototype fleet director, revealed that the system was created by the same engineers responsible for the brand’s acclaimed dual-clutch and torque converter transmissions.

The idea wasn’t just to fake it; it was to replicate the feel so closely that even experts would struggle to tell the difference.

In fact, Niesen himself admitted he expected to hate it but walked away impressed, saying it felt like a ‘proper torque converter gearbox.’

What sets the company’s take apart from rivals like Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N is the use of authentic sound.

Instead of synthesizing futuristic or engine-like noises, the Cayenne EV pipes in actual recordings from Porsche’s V8-powered Cayenne models.

That means downshifts come with familiar burbles and ‘exhaust farts,’ delivering a level of immersion more in line with a traditional sports SUV than a whisper-quiet EV.

Installing this isn’t so straightforward

There’s a catch, though.

Unlike a simple software update, integrating this system requires proper hardware that the Cayenne EV wasn’t designed for.

So while the prototype works, rolling it out to production models won’t be straightforward.

Still, the demand is clearly there.

Many drivers want the option to make their EVs feel more engaging, even if it’s purely an illusion.

For Porsche, this could be a turning point.

If simulated shifts and V8 soundtracks make their way into the upcoming 718 EV, it might give the brand’s first all-electric sports car the kind of visceral connection drivers crave.

Porsche is not the only company doing this, either.

BMW is also rolling out cars that generate fake engine sounds based on a variety of factors, while Mercedes-AMG EVs are also set to fake engine noise to keep V8 lovers on board.

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