An electric car with a manual transmission? Toyota patents GR86-style shifter for future electric vehicles
Toyota's patented EV transmission is similar to the actual manual transmission in the upcoming GR86 coupe.
If you think EVs might lack interaction with an internal combustion engine vehicle, Toyota may have a solution.
The Japanese automaker has patented a clutch-operated manual transmission that could find use in the brand's future electric vehicles.
Currently, most electric vehicles use a single-speed reduction gearbox, although some manufacturers such as Porsche and Audi use a two-speed gearbox for high-speed electric driving.
It's not yet clear how Toyota's manual will work, but the shift pattern is similar to that of the GR86 coupe.
The patent application states: “The electric vehicle controller is configured to control the torque of the electric motor using the vehicle model MT based on the number of accelerator pedal operations, the number of pseudo clutch pedal operations, and gear shifting. position of a pseudo-shifter.
Patent application for manual transmission of Toyota electric vehicle.
Toyota used the word "pseudo" quite often in the filing, emphasizing that while the transmission provides the feel and experience of manual shifting, it may not actually serve any purpose for the vehicle to operate.
The application details a "shift reaction force generator" that will simulate the force and movement that occurs in a manual transmission car when shifting gears to make it more authentic.
There is no indication of which vehicle it will be used in, but given that Toyota announced late last year that it will launch 30 electric vehicles under the Toyota and Lexus brands by 2030.
Given that many people prefer a manual transmission in a sports car, there's a good chance this new EV powertrain could make its way to one of the sports models introduced in December.
Until then, fans of manual Toyota sports cars will have to make do with the upcoming second-generation GR86 due out in the second half of 2022, as well as the GR Yaris hot hatchback.
The Supra coupe doesn't come with a manual at the moment, but reports suggest one is imminent.
