Honda Is Testing Out a Manual Gearbox for Its EVs

Honda isn’t ready to give up on the old ways just yet.

The Japanese auto giant is looking into whether its well-regarded manual transmissions will still have a place in its vehicles as it begins to finally embrace battery power, according to The Drive. In fact, the company’s engineers are currently testing out a synthetic stick shift in its upcoming electric “0 Series” model.

During a recent press event in Japan, a Honda engineer confirmed to a reporter from the website that it has developed a synthetic manual gearbox with a corresponding clutch pedal for an EV. If the feature was to make it into a production vehicle, it would likely be accompanied by synthetic engine noises similar to those produced by the performance-oriented Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. The reporter was not able to try out the transmission—which they were warned would not be able to fully replicate the feel of a perfect downshift—but they were able to make the e Digital UX Concept sound like some of the automaker’s most beloved cars, including the Acura NSX and Civic Type R, with other engine noise reportedly hidden behind a paywall.

It’s interesting to learn that Honda is now exploring the possibility of equipping an EV with a manual. As recently as 2022, the company seemed resigned to the fact that the increasingly antiquated technology would not have a place in its battery-powered models. At the time, its head of electrification Shinji Aoyama, said the automaker was against the idea of a fake stick shift, telling Car and Driver, “I’m not sure if we can replace the manual transmission.” Instead, he said the best way to appease enthusiasts was to deliver a distinct and exciting driving experience.

It should be noted that there remains no reason why an EV, even a performance-oriented model, would ever need a manual gearbox. An electric motor has a much wider rpm range in which it can operate efficiently so it requires one gear, unlike internal combustion engines, which require multiple that need to be shifted through to stop the vehicle from stalling. That clearly isn’t stopping Honda, and its main rival, Toyota, from looking into the possibility, of keeping the feature around a little longer. A stick shift may never be available on a 0 Series model, but don’t be surprised if it ends up on another EV at some point.

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