(Motorsport-Total.com/Motor1) – The simulated gear shifts with corresponding soundscape introduced in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N have revolutionized the industry. Now the technology is to be introduced in regular Hyundais without the “N” in the name, said a manager.
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The technology is to come in all mid-range and high-performance models; base models are excluded because there is no corresponding “user experience” there. In other words: the sound does not match the acceleration. “We really want to offer a real driving experience – not just the sound, but also a bit more power,” said product planner Raf van Nuffel from Hyundai Europe to the online magazine carsales. We were made aware of this through an article on KoreanCarBlog, where we also found a small video that reproduces the sound of the Ioniq 5 N:
Shifting in the Ioniq 5 N is done via the paddles, which are normally used to adjust the recuperation. The system can be switched on and off at the push of a button; those who do not like the sound can therefore deactivate it.
So far, the simulated gear shifts are available in the Ioniq 5 N, the Ioniq 6 N, and allegedly also in the Ioniq 9. In the large SUV, the technology was silently implemented to test acceptance among customers, according to the article. The partner brands Kia and Genesis also use the technology, for example in the Kia EV6 GT and the Genesis GV60 Magma.
The system will not be available in the Inster with its maximum 85 kW or the new Ioniq 3 (maximum 108 kW), but possibly in a later-launched Ioniq 3 variant with about 150 kW and certainly in an also expected N variant.
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More on the topic of artificial sound in electric cars:
Porsche tests simulated gear shifts for Cayenne Electric
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N to sound and jerk like a combustion engine
In summary
The shifting option in the Ioniq 5 N including rev limiter and misfires really impressed us. Many colleagues felt the same way. Even the competition up to Porsche has become attentive and is working on corresponding technologies. Now Hyundai apparently wants to democratize the system.
Whether it will also be watered down, we will only know when we have driven a corresponding car. But in a compact electric car with about 200 kW, we can well imagine it. Recently, we had a lot of fun with the launch control in the Cupra Born. Hyundai’s sound system would have been the cherry on the cake.
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Source: carsales.com via KoreanCarBlog
