Lexus confirms growth of a handbook transmission on Electrified Sports activities flagship

In February, unearthed patent filings indicated that Toyota is perhaps engaged on a handbook transmission for electrical autos. It appeared relatively far-fetched, and as we all know many patented concepts by no means truly make it into manufacturing. Nevertheless Toyota — or relatively, its Lexus luxurious efficiency division — is significantly engaged on this, as the corporate confirmed throughout a convention in Europe. 

The system makes use of a bodily gear shift, tachometer and third pedal. We hesitate to name it a clutch pedal as a result of it is not truly related to a clutch. After all an EV would not have a gearbox with precise gears and synchros, both. Every thing is simulated by way of software program. 

Takashi Watanabe, chief engineer of Lexus Electrified, described it as a “simulated drive drive map with pedal and shift positions to breed the sensation of a handbook transmission.” It is so life like, although, that the driving force even faces the opportunity of stalling the automotive or rolling backwards on a hill begin. And for the reason that system is ruled by ones and zeroes, every driver can select their most popular “gearing” with out having to swap out cogs of various ratios. 

“This new mission all began with some Lexus engineers reflecting on what they appreciated about conventional [internal combustion] autos and what they needed to miss out on with electrical automobiles,” mentioned Watanabe. “[The] handbook transmission was one factor they loved specifically.”

Tantalizingly, Watanabe revealed this expertise whereas standing earlier than the Lexus Electrified Sport idea, a automotive rumored to be an electrical Lexus LFA successor. In apply, the transmission has been put in on a Lexus UX300e for testing. In a brief video (we won’t embed it, so click on right here and go to the 13:27 mark in “Lexus Deep Dive” ) the prototype weaves by way of a car parking zone full with simulated engine revs. 

Watanabe mentioned that the prototype was “a lot enjoyable that the mission is now beneath critical growth and it would truly be on future BEVs.” Certainly, when the driving force adjustments gear, the hand-held digicam even jerks a bit of, confirming that it behaves like a stick-shift ICE automotive.

It definitely does look fairly a bit livelier than a CVT-equipped UX, elevating the query of what it could be like in a real sports activities automotive just like the Electrified Sport. Thankfully, Watanabe had some constructive information concerning the glossy idea that’s claimed to go from 0-62 mph in round 2 seconds. “I can not inform you after we will likely be launching a manufacturing car based mostly on the Electrified Sport. However I can affirm that we’re engaged on it.” He additionally affirmed that the handbook transmission, together with all-wheel drive, steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire, had been all being developed for the manufacturing model. “This isn’t only a design idea. It’s meant to develop into actuality.”