Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Hyundai Wants to Make EVs Feel MechanicalHyundai isn't done trying to make its EVs feel like the real deal. After rolling out the N e-Shift system with its fake gear changes, the brand is now cooking up even more tricks – think engine-style vibrations, a hint of idle rumble, and yes, even pretend exhaust backfires.Speaking to Autocar, Hyundai Executive Technical Advisor and Head of Global R&D Manfred Harrer said the company plans to expand the technology in its next generation of performance EVs rather than treat it as a one-off feature.AdvertisementAdvertisement"We are leading – we are not following – on this technology," Harrer told the publication. "In the next generation of these cars, I want to make it even more realistic. I want to enhance it further."Harrer didn't spill the full production roadmap, but he did tease that things like idling, exhaust pops, and car-shaking vibrations are all on the table as Hyundai tries to make EVs feel more alive.Experience Matters MoreHyundai's N e-Shift system first showed up in the Ioniq 5 N, letting drivers play pretend with paddle shifters even though there's only one gear underneath. Not everyone is buying it, though. Some purists have called out the whole fake-mechanical-sensation thing as a gimmick. Harrer admits the criticism, but says most people are actually into it."There are so many ideas how you can advance it further, but this is all about experience," he said. "A lot of people say it's fake, but people like it so there is some beauty – and why not play around with it?"AdvertisementAdvertisementHe also made it clear: Hyundai N isn't just copying the big-name European brands. They're doing their own thing. Worth mentioning, Hyundai's virtual gearshift party isn't just for the Ioniq 5 N anymore, while more electric models – yes, even more pedestrian ones – are set to get in on the action soon.HyundaiExploring Simulated Driving SensationsHyundai isn't alone in this quest to make EVs less sterile. Porsche's Taycan now fakes gear changes, BMW's next electric M3 will have its own take on virtual shifting, and Toyota has even patented a manual simulation that can 'stall' if you mess up the pretend clutch.Hyundai's also been spotted filing patents for a manual-style EV with a real stick shift, hinting they're not afraid to experiment with all sorts of ways to bring back that old-school driving feel.Will fake exhaust pops and seat-shaking vibrations actually catch on? Time will tell. But Hyundai seems pretty sure that giving drivers something to hear, feel, and mess around with is the secret sauce for making EVs fun. If this trend keeps up, the next wave of electric cars might just be as much about emotion as efficiency.HyundaiThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Jun 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
