Maserati secretly developed a fake EV gearbox

Maserati has developed, prototyped, and patented an artificial gearbox for electric vehicles, but it has surprisingly ruled the technology out for its current range of Folgore EVs.

Speaking to carsales, Maserati engineering boss Davide Danesin said simulated gear ratios could sharpen driver engagement and make high-performance EVs easier to control.

“I would consider artificial gearboxes for some applications [when] it can improve the driving experience ... we have some prototypes of it in-house. Actually, we have also delivered some patents,” he said.

The technology was developed when Maserati was working on a now-cancelled electric version of the MC20 supercar, which would have had faux gearshifts in certain drive modes.

Spearheaded by Hyundai, artificial gearboxes have become a viable way for carmakers to add interaction to single-speed EVs, but Maserati doesn't deem the tech suitable for its GranTurismo, GranCabrio or Grecale models, despite them being available with EV options.

Danesin said the faux-shifting system made sense for a focussed electric sports car or supercar because it could offer more than just theatre.

“We found out that improving the experience and controllability of the car [was] a functional advantage,” he said.

While an artificial gearbox would seem like an interesting feature for the 560kW/1350Nm GranTurismo Folgore, Danesin said Maserati had decided fake shifts clashed with the long distance/comfort brief of the GT.

“On the GranTurismo, honestly, I don’t see it; I think the GranTurismo is much more [about] driving comfortably at high speed on the motorway. This is too technically disturbing, in my view.”

Maserati has also ruled out adding simulated combustion engine noises to EVs, with Danesin backing the current approach which amplifies real sounds.

Rather than mimicking a combustion car, Maserati’s EV soundtrack builds on natural frequencies of the electric motors and changes according to torque demand and fades away at steady speeds to reduce fatigue.

Notably, Maserati does not allow drivers to switch off this system as it is seen as important to the overall experience.

“We would never take it out – if somebody prefers more comfort or more communication with the propulsion, we can discuss the [volume] level, but we can’t take it away because we feel it is communicating what the car is doing,” Danesin said.

All the complex work for Maserati’s artificial EV gearbox has already been completed, and the tech is legally protected by patents.

Now, it's sitting on the shelf waiting for the right vehicle to come along. With the cancellation of the MC20 EV last year, no obvious product is on the horizon.

Based on Danesin’s remarks, we know the first user won’t be the GranTurismo Folgore – though with a fully-electric Quattroporte now in development, perhaps a future sports sedan could be the recipient.

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