An EV with shifting gears? Porsche Taycan to feature virtual 8-speed shifting 'E-Shift'.

Porsche Taycan: Updates from the 2027 model year

Well, well, Porsche has made an interesting (or perhaps intriguing?) announcement regarding updates to the 2027 Taycan model.

The contents are:

• Equipped with the new 'E-Shift System' featuring a virtual gear shift function and a more emotionally appealing electric sports sound.
• Adoption of a new generation infotainment system featuring the latest operating concept, enhanced smartphone connectivity, and AI-powered voice control.
• Performance Battery Plus (105kWh) is standard equipment on all grades.
• The passenger-side DC fast charging port now supports the NACS standard (the driver-side AC port remains unchanged (J1772)).

something like.

New E-Shift option

I'd like to take a closer look at each of these features, but first and foremost, I think the most surprising one is the "E-Shift option."

This E-Shift option is said to evolve the driving experience in all Taycan models into something more emotionally rich and exciting, providing an experience that stimulates the senses of sight, hearing, and touch.

So, what exactly is this E-Shift option? It's a combination of virtual gear changes and a reinterpreted Porsche electric sports sound that delivers a truly realistic and dynamic gear-shifting experience.

This optional system has two modes: "Automatic Mode" and "Manual Mode." In Manual Mode, the driver can use the paddles on the GT Sport steering wheel to switch between a total of eight virtual gears.

The gear changes are said to be reproduced with a realistic feel, including a realistic shift feel, gear-specific drag torque comparable to the engine braking behavior of an internal combustion engine, and a virtual rev limiter, providing an almost authentic feel.

At the same time, the Porsche Electric Sport Sound system adjusts the sound inside and outside the car according to the load and wheel speed to suit the driving conditions (sound tuning varies depending on the Taycan model).

This system also adds a virtual rev counter and a gear indicator with a shift light to the instrument cluster.

So, basically, the Taycan is a fully electric vehicle, but with the newly introduced E-Shift option, you can drive it like a car with an internal combustion engine, as if it had an 8-speed gearbox.

Of course, all those gears and sounds are virtual and fabricated, so the Taycan hasn't actually transformed into a car with an 8-speed gear shift.

From my perspective, even back in November 2025, I thought, "Porsche said they wouldn't make fake gear, but maybe they're starting to think about it?"

Around the summer of 2025, it started to feel like, "I said I wouldn't make fake gear, but maybe I should consider it" (see:Will Porsche implement a pseudo gear shift in its next electric car?), and then in the winter of 2025, it was reported that Frank Moser, Vice President in charge of the 911 and 718 lines, and Andreas Preuninger, head of Porsche's GT cars, were so impressed when they drove the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N that they said it was absolutely fantastic! (Reference:The 718EV may feature a virtual six-cylinder engine sound and a virtual gearshift.).

And now, as if to tie up all those loose ends, a virtual gear has already been installed in the Taycan. Isn't that a little too obvious, Porsche...?

So... um, what do you think about incorporating this virtual gear?

What do you think?

If this were an electric kids' car, adding a virtual system (like a tachometer, sounds, etc.) that makes it as close to a real car as possible would increase its realism and make it more fun.

But the Taycan was originally designed as a fully electric vehicle. Why would you deliberately try to make it resemble an internal combustion engine car?

At first, I thought, "If someone is looking for that kind of virtual experience, wouldn't they just not buy a BEV in the first place?" But as I watched and listened to the video (and sound) of this E-Shift, I realized, "Ah, this isn't a virtual experience for people who yearn for gasoline engine cars, but rather something to use as a fun element when you want to experience driving a BEV that feels like an internal combustion engine, like a game."

I see this as Porsche's playful spirit, and I understand it as another option for enjoying the Taycan.

I'm actually starting to think I'd like to experience the fun of thinking, "Wow, it's a fully electric car, but it feels like a gasoline engine car!" I'm a fan of new gadgets, after all.

The newly announced "E-Shift (GT sports steering wheel with paddle shifters)" option is available for all Taycan powertrains and body styles, and will now be standard equipment on the Taycan Turbo GT.

Of course, E-Shift can also be completely turned off using an additional mode switch located on the steering wheel.

The newly adopted sound will sound like this, allowing you to experience the gear change through sound alone ↓

It seems they've also created sounds that simulate the engine approaching its rev limit, as well as sounds that convey the torque of a car with an internal combustion engine.

For a clearer understanding of the E-Shift and its sound, please watch this video (4:34).

Speaking of which, with this virtual gear, if you pull both paddles on the left and right simultaneously, a "Push to Pass" overboost function that temporarily increases power is activated. However, in the case of Porsche's internal combustion engine PDK, depending on the generation and model, pulling both paddles simultaneously can put the car in neutral. So, wouldn't someone who usually drives a 911 or something similar be surprised if they pulled both paddles at the same time?

Because instead of going neutral, it goes into overboost (lol).

More intuitive, more customizable: The new Porsche Digital Interaction

The new model year Taycan will also introduce a new generation of infotainment software.

• Modern and minimalist design
  • A touching welcome animation
  • A feature that allows you to customize the colors of the theme app.
• 3D vehicle model that reproduces the actual color of the customer's vehicle
• Customizable widgets
  • Small, interactive applications called widgets have emerged.
  • Just like on a smartphone, these controls allow you to quickly access a variety of functions, including navigation, media, and phone calls.
  • Some apps allow full-screen or split-screen display.
  • Expand your digital ecosystem, including both your own apps and third-party apps, through the App Center.
• Improved voice control with AI-enabled Voice Pilot
  • Navigation, vehicle functions, media, and some apps can be operated hands-free.
  • POI search function compatible with Google search
  • It also becomes possible to ask additional questions without having to repeat "Hey, Porsche."

It seems that this has been achieved.

The new Porsche Communication Management (PCM) reportedly boasts up to five times the processing power of its predecessor.

The integration of Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto has also been expanded, and navigation is said to set new standards with features such as accurate online route calculation, 3D building display, and an optimized charging planner.

In addition to over-the-air updates (OTA) functionality for the infotainment system, it also features a smartphone tray with a magnetic ring mount that supports charging power up to 25 watts.

High-capacity Performance Battery Plus is included as standard equipment.

The Taycan, Taycan 4, and Taycan 4S models now come standard with a larger capacity Performance Battery Plus.

This high-capacity 105kWh battery can be charged at up to 320kW using a compatible 800V DC fast charging station.

It will also feature a new display that shows the battery status.

Taycan models (excluding the Taycan Turbo GT with the Weissach package) feature a NACS DC fast charging port on the passenger side and a J1772 AC port on the driver's side. A CCS adapter is included. *Details regarding vehicles for the Japanese market are currently unknown.

In addition, 16 new colors have been added to the PTS (Paint to Sample) lineup, bringing the total to 153 colors. These include Shark Blue and Python Green, which were previously standard options on some models, as well as completely new colors such as Loretta Purple and Rose Red.

If you choose the Taycan Turbo GT model equipped with the Weissach package, you can also add the Manthey kit as an option.

So it's now available as an option from the start.

2027 Porsche Taycan price

The updated 2027 Taycan is already available for order, with deliveries starting in the fall of 2026. The price of the 2027 Taycan will start at $111,900 (approximately 18 million yen) for the rear-wheel-drive model. *This information is from Porsche AG and may not apply to the Japanese market.

Source:(Official) Model Year 2027 Porsche Taycan updates: E-Shift with virtual gears

Related article:
◆Will Porsche implement a pseudo gear shift in its next electric car?
◆The 718EV may feature a virtual six-cylinder engine sound and a virtual gearshift.