Porsche is rolling out a number of major updates to its Taycan sports saloon, most notably a new E-Shift virtual gearbox that has been designed to inject an extra dose of feedback on road and track.
The new virtual gearbox is not dissimilar to that used by Hyundai’s N models and is effectively a simulated eight-speed transmission. Porsche created the system by taking the characteristics of its dual-clutch PDK gearbox and mapping them into the Taycan’s ECU.
Engineers then had to marry up the virtual gearbox with the Taycan’s physical two-speed automatic in order for the system to work seamlessly.
Crucially, Porsche claims that running in E-Shift mode doesn’t limit the Tayan’s power output, nor does it impact its real-world range and efficiency. While Hyundai’s system is tied exclusively to N-badged derivatives, Porsche is rolling out its new E-Shift virtual gearbox across the Taycan’s entire line-up, with each model variant given its own characteristics.
The new E-Shift gearbox works in unison with Porsche Electric Sound, an evolution of the previous engine note available with the Taycan. As Porsche sound design engineer Max Geiger explained, while the team experimented with mimicking a petrol engine, they opted for a synthesised engine note to match the Taycan’s electric roots.
So what is a Taycan E-Shift like to drive? Thumb the E-Shift button on the GT sport steering wheel and the instrument cluster displays a rev counter in the centre of the dash, with the virtual ’box defaulting to automatic. You’ll immediately notice an audible change inside the car, as the Porsche Electric Sound 'idles' much like that of an combustion engine.
