Zeekr considering Hyundai Ioniq 5 N-style simulated gears for electric cars
Growing Chinese brand Zeekr is the latest car maker to consider ways to make high-performance electric cars more engaging to drive. Zeekr may be the next car maker to add synthesised gear shifts to its electric vehicles, following in the wheel tracks of Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N. The majority of cars sold by the Chinese manufacturer in Australia are more powerful than the last of the V8-powered Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon sports sedans, offering up to 475kW in the 7X Performance SUV. Rivals – led by Hyundai – are increasingly considering software that controls the response of the electric motors to simulate a petrol-powered car’s transmission, accompanied by a soundtrack intended to mimic a petrol engine. “There is a debate for the gear shifting,” Zeekr head of high-performance models, Ray Chien, told Drive . MORE: Zeekr targets up to 500 7X SUV sales per month in Australia “Some people think this is old school, right? Because back in the old days with the comb...