Honda rules out ‘simulated’ manual transmissions
Honda boss takes stand against pseudo manuals as rivals look to boost driver engagement with EVsHonda appears to have ruled out developing simulated manual transmissions for its future EVs, despite numerous reports its chief rival, Toyota, is pursuing them.
During an interview with US magazine Car and Driver, Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe and the car-maker’s head of electrification, Shinji Aoyama, said artificial manual transmissions for electric cars were not on the Japanese brand’s agenda.
“I’m not sure if we can replace the manual transmission,” Mibe said.
Added Aoyama: “Artificially, we can do it. Mechanically, it is not easy.”
Aoyama went on to describe simulated manuals as “like an extension of active sound control”.
Toyota has been caught patenting inventions designed to appeal to purists who are already lamenting the demise of DIY gear-shifting, but Honda says its preference is pursuing other ways of making EVs fun to drive.
The two Honda executives said key to unlocking driver involvement is battery tech, packaging, programming and overall engineering of electric motors.
Mibe said Honda’s future EVs will be “edgy” and offer a distinct driving experience compared to its rivals.
Toyota, meanwhile, is well underway in developing a manual alternative which blends a clutch pedal and shift lever that rows through gears using a traditional H-pattern gate.
Back in 2017 it even pulled the drapes off a Toyota GR Sports concept that featured an automatic with a simulated manual transmission.
Despite saying there’s no future for manuals, Honda said it won’t phase them out immediately.
Instead, it will continue to offer them on its combustion vehicles.
Even by 2030 it predicts that EVs will only make up 40 per cent of sales, but that figure will be ramped up to 80 per cent by 2035 and 100 per cent by 2040.
Catering for enthusiasts, Honda has also promised it will make two electric sports cars, one of which has been touted as a flagship to replace the Honda NSX.
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Related: Toyota developing manual transmissions for EVs
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