BMW to launch Hyundai-inspired artificial EV gearbox

BMW will introduce simulated gear changes on its upcoming high-performance i3 M60 xDrive model in a move that will give the M Performance model additional driver engagement over the i3 40 and i3 50 models now on their way to Australia.

The artificial transmission technology, understood to be referred to as ‘Stages’ rather than gears, was confirmed by BMW senior driving dynamics engineer Christian Heiss on the sidelines of the international launch of the new 3 Series and i3.

Launching next year and already confirmed for Australia, the i3 M60 is a 450kW/875Nm dual-motor EV monster that will bridge the gap between the i3 50 M Sport and the forthcoming next-generation M3. It’ll also be distinguished by its yellow running lights.

Chassis guru Heiss explained that the Bavarian brand had observed the success of the virtual EV gearbox technology debuted by the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N in mid-2023 when BMW was developing the i3.

Heiss revealed that there had been debate between the powertrain and chassis teams about whether it was worthwhile to develop artificial shifting tech for the 3 Series EV.

“We’d seen it before – for example, the Hyundai. We at BMW thought: well, that’s a funny gimmick. We’re in an electric world; why copy things out of the combustion engine?” he said of the conversations.

“But from the driving dynamics side, we pointed out that there are some advantages to having this kind of paddle shift, in terms of drivability and feedback from the car. It’s an improvement on certain kinds of drives, and especially on track,” said Heiss.

carsales understands that Heiss and other 3 Series and BMW M executives tested the Ioniq 5 N and other leading performance EV models.

Positive feedback on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N’s gearbox and sound technologies helped to inform BMW’s thinking, but Heiss said the BMW ‘Stages’ feature will differ in key attributes compared with Hyundai’s ‘N e-Shift’ system.

Heiss says BMW is satisfied with the results.

“We’ve ended up with something close to a gearbox simulation, but we don’t call it a gearbox simulation. It’s thought [out] a bit differently, but everyone hoping for a gear shift simulation will be happy with this – hopefully even more than happy,” Heiss said.

It’s not known how many ‘stages’, or gears, BMW’s system runs through.

BMW had already confirmed that the i3 M60 would be fitted with steering wheel shift paddles linked to the ‘M eDrive’ power delivery system and that it would have a distinct sound.

The paddle shifters were visible on a pre-production M60 inspected by carsales at the 3 Series launch.

Heiss confirmed the system will be restricted to M Performance grades – the M60 in the i3 range – rather than flowing down to i3 40 and i3 50 models.

He said the feature could not be made available by software update as the lower-spec i3 models lack the paddle hardware and linkages to other functions.

BMW’s ‘Stages’ feature is likely to spread to other new-generation Neue Klasse M Performance EV models, including the iX3 M60 and iX4 M60 SUVs, in the coming months.

It also stands to reason that a variation of the feature could be seen on forthcoming full-fat BMW M electric products.

But in a blow to enthusiasts, pure rear-wheel drive versions of BMW’s EVs are set to miss out.

Artificial shifting technology is spreading quickly across the industry, with Mercedes-AMG adding a similar system to its new GT 4-Door Coupe (along with fake V8 noises), while Porsche is adding the E-Shift tech to the entire 2027 Taycan range.

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