Mercedes-AMG's new supercar will have a simulated gearshift.

The technical director of Mercedes Group Markus Schäfer told Autocar journalists that the production version of the AMG GT XX concept will have a simulated gearshift. This will be done to approximate the sensations of driving a car with a petrol engine. By the way, a similar logic has already been implemented in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

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"How does the car feel in terms of noise, sound levels, vibration, gear shifting?" - Schaefer said. "It should touch your emotional side. And if it doesn't, it doesn't fulfil its purpose. That's what AMG cars do, and that's what we've carried over piece by piece into the AMG GT XX."

The appearance of simulated gear shifting in AMG's latest electric car isn't a complete surprise. The paddle shifters on the concept car and a video of a simulated gearshift posted on social media were suggestive. However, this is the first time a company spokesperson has explicitly confirmed it.

Shift simulation makes sense for a high-performance electric car, especially when combined with engine noise simulation. Without the transmission simulation, you'd get something like the Dodge Charger Daytona, which sounds like its simulated V-8 is hooked up to a continuously variable CVT transmission.

The production AMG GT electric car will feature headlight-mounted speakers to mimic the sound of the AMG V8. The car will get three electric motors: two at the rear and one at the front. The power output of the concept is 1,360 horsepower. The production version will probably be close to that figure. Schaefer says these engines, supplied by British company Yasa, are important to meet the high expectations of buyers.

"It has to be authentic when it comes to power, handling and performance on the track," he told Autocar. "But the AMG is also an emotional experience acoustically, in terms of noise and vibration, and that's what you should expect from this car."

He also admitted that attracting ardent V8 fans to electric cars is a challenge.

Source: Autocar