Porsche has introduced an E-Shift feature for the Taycan, adding simulated gear changes to enhance the driving experience. The feature adds a blue button on the steering wheel that activates eight simulated gears, which drivers can cycle through using the paddles behind the wheel. The shifting process is designed to feel authentic, and there's even a virtual rev counter to echo combustion-engine cars.
Porsche previously preferred to steer clear of simulated gear changes in an EV, but recent statements hinted at a shift in thinking. Last November, Frank Moser, vice president of the 718 and 911 model lines, praised Hyundai's N e-Shift system, which replicates an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission: "They made it really, really good."
View Price on AmazonThe changes for the 2027 model year go beyond the E-Shift feature. In North America, the Taycan, Taycan 4, and Taycan 4S now come standard with the larger 105-kWh battery pack. All variants except the flagship Turbo GT with the Weissach Package also gain a NACS charging port on the passenger side. Inside, there are software tweaks to the infotainment system, along with an updated smartphone tray featuring a magnetic ring mount and 25-watt charging power.
Porsche kicks off deliveries in the United States this fall, with pricing starting at $114,250 (including destination and handling fees) for the base rear-wheel-drive model. The newly added E-Shift is standard on the Turbo GT and optional on all other trims and body styles.
Motor1's Take: We’re skeptical that simulated gear changes will convince more people to walk into a dealership and buy a Taycan. Demand for Porsche’s first EV has fallen sharply in recent years, dropping from a peak of 41,296 units in 2021 to less than half that in 2025, when only 16,339 vehicles were sold. Those who want the real thing are more likely to choose a Panamera, and for a manual experience, a 911.
It’s becoming increasingly likely that artificial gear changes won’t remain a novelty among performance EVs. Beyond Hyundai and Porsche, Mercedes-AMG’s new GT 4-Door Coupe features an AMGFORCE Sport+ drive mode that delivers simulated gear shifts via the paddles, mimicking the company’s nine-speed automatic transmission.
Source: motor1.com
