Ford Equator Sport Launched in China, Starts at 21,900 USD
Jul 27, 20232024 Ford Maverick vs. 2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz: Small Truck Struggle
Jul 15, 2023VW Golf Including GTI Will Lose Manual Option In 2024, Report Claims
Aug 18, 20232023 NBA Draft: Pro player comparisons for Ausar Thompson
Aug 06, 2023I learned to drive stick shift for the first time
Jul 17, 2023Lexus Built an EV With a Fake Manual Transmission
The company put it in a UX crossover. Not exactly an enthusiast favorite.
The manual transmission is almost gone. Even if you ignore that manual-transmission cars account for less than 2 percent of the auto market today, you have to accept that the transition to EVs will likely spell the end of shifting yourself. Toyota wants to change that, which is why the company is showing off a prototype EV with a faux manual shifter.
The company has spent the last couple of days showing European journalists a special version of the Lexus UX 300e. The small electric crossover isn't sold in the U.S. and isn't particularly exciting in its normal form, but this version has a simulated shifter and clutch to provide a taste of old-school engagement. The driver can shift between different gears when they get to the far end of the fake tachometer and, if they blow a shift, can even stall the electric car. The driving video from EVO is certainly worth a watch.
Electric vehicles rarely have more than one or two forward gears, so it is unlikely that this is going to be a useful technology for future mainstream EVs. But Lexus says it is developing the concept to make more engaging EVs, and may actually use the system on a production BEV if the development work is promising. We're not sure a simulated shifter could ever scratch our itch, but we're certainly interested in trying it out.
Arguably the most fickle member of the Road & Track staff, Reviews Editor Mack Hogan is likely the only person to ever cross shop an ND Miata with an Isuzu Vehicross. He founded the automotive reviews section of CNBC during his sophomore year of college and has been writing about cars ever since.
South Australia Adds License for High-Powered Cars
NASCAR Driver Gragson Suspended for Instagram Like
Fisker Unveils Rōnin, Pear, Alaska Pickup Truck
The Cadillac Celestiq Starts at $340,000
GMC Is Turning the Hummer EV Into an Overlander
Watching a Chiron Drive On a Bare Rim Is Painful
Hyundai, Kia Recall 92,000 Vehicles Over Fire Risk
Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Lives on with 2024 Refresh
IMSA Announces Surprising 2024 Schedule
16-Year-Old Supra Driver Cited at 132 on a Highway
Some Dodge Demon 170 Buyers Got 1-of-1 Paint Jobs
Get Hyped for Monterey With This F1 GTR Video