BMW has confirmed that its upcoming 2027 M3 electric will feature simulated gear changes, joining a trend that began with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and which Porsche will likely follow with its electric Cayenne.
This is an interesting example where maintaining something that is an artifact of a different technology and is, strictly speaking, unnecessary, actually delivers a benefit:
Gear shifts provide audio and tactile reference points that help drivers gauge speed and acceleration, particularly useful on track where precision matters.
Using “shifting as timing” was arguably an unintended byproduct of ICE engine transmissions; it will be curious to see if other, more tailored-to-fit modes (reading ahead and adjusting shift timing based on upcoming turns, for example) might be developed for track use and other specialized scenarios.
