Subaru patents a manual gearbox for electric cars... but simulated

Electric cars do not have a manual gearbox. They do not need one. The very way this type of vehicle works means that electric motors deliver maximum torque at all times, and there is no need to adjust gears. But those who enjoy driving often prefer to feel the thrust of a manual gearbox, to feel that they have control over the engine and over the sensations it transmits.

A key component for this is the clutch. Feeling the pedal and operating the gear lever creates a sensation that makes driving feel more engaging. So it is no surprise that a brand such as Subaru has wanted to introduce a manual gearbox into its electric models. Or at least something that simulates it while still offering the advantages of electric mobility.

A system that recreates the manual gearbox

This

manual gearbox

recreates all the sensations of traditional gearboxes. A sensor system allows a response that lets the driver feel the operation of a car with a combustion engine. The main point is, of course, the clutch. This is not real and is not actually connected to the motor.

Through sensors that detect the pressure on the pedal, physical feedback is generated and the electronic management allows the traditional driving experience to be felt. For reference, the engineers at Subaru looked at the WRX, so there is a base on which they have worked, and the aim has been for the sensations to be similar to those experienced with this iconic model.

Thus, even if you have an electric car, you will not have to give up all those sensations that are achieved at the wheel of a powerful car with a combustion engine, controlling the engine revs with the gearbox. This is not the first proposal of this kind, although Subaru does want to bring it to the industry, through patents and by establishing safety and functionality standards. This gearbox would be aimed at the higher-performance models, to enhance the sensations behind the wheel.