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 is likely to follow with its electric Cayenne. During a technical workshop, BMW M engineers revealed that the electric M will offer “emulated gear changes in specific modes” coordinated with M-specific sounds.
Patented technology, mode-specific implementation
According to the workshop presentation, BMW M will “implement performance-specific driving modes, emulated gear changes in certain modes, as well as M-specific sounds for an enhanced driving experience, which also relate to gear change emulation.”
Critically, BMW stated that “most functions have been patented and will be exclusive to M models”, suggesting that it is not borrowed technology but a proprietary system designed specifically for M performance applications. The phrase “in certain modes” indicates that the feature is not active in all driving situations – drivers can choose seamless EV power or activate a simulated shift if necessary.
Following the Ioniq 5 N from Hyundai
BMW is not a pioneer here – Hyundai launched the Ioniq 5 N in 2023 with its NE-Shift system, which simulates eight-speed dual-clutch transmission shifts complete with torque interruptions and sound synthesis. Initial skepticism gave way to positive reviews, with drivers noting that simulated shifts provide reference points during aggressive driving and make it easier to precisely modulate power on the track.
Hyundai’s system doesn’t just add noise – it actually modulates power delivery to simulate shift points and temporarily reduces torque during the “shift” to replicate the feel of a real transmission.
Porsche is expected to follow suit
Porsche is widely expected to implement similar technology in its upcoming electric Cayenne. Although unconfirmed, the company’s emphasis on driving commitment to electric vehicles – evidenced by the Taycan’s true two-speed transmission – suggests simulated shifts are likely for the performance-oriented electric Cayenne. With both BMW M and possibly Porsche adopting the technology, simulated gear changes are moving from a novelty to an expected feature in high-performance electric vehicles.
Why don’t electric motors need gear changes?
Electric motors deliver their maximum torque immediately and do not require a gearbox. So why simulate them? Performance brands cite several reasons:
Gear changes provide acoustic and tactile reference points to help the driver gauge speed and acceleration, which is particularly useful on the race track where precision is essential. The torque interruptions during simulated shifts can make cars easier to control at the limit than continuous, overwhelming power. And emotionally, many enthusiasts find the seamless EV acceleration to be flat – the drama of gear changes increases engagement, even if it’s artificial.
Critics counter that this will artificially hinder the drive train and that the limitations that have already been exceeded with electric motors will be added again. However, if the systems are optional and well-executed, the philosophical debate matters less than whether they improve the actual driving experience.
BMW’s four-engine advantage
BMW’s four-motor architecture – one motor per wheel – offers more control flexibility than the Ioniq 5 N’s simpler setup. Instead of just reducing the system’s overall power during “shifts,” BMW could potentially modulate power at each wheel independently, creating more sophisticated simulations of weight transfer and traction changes. Combined with M Dynamic Performance Control and three years of refining the technology before launch, BMW has the opportunity to improve on Hyundai’s groundbreaking implementation.
We’ll have a chance to test it later this year before the car goes on sale in 2027.
