The virtual dual-clutch transmission (DCT) dubbed ‘N e-shift’ is one of the most exciting technologies being developed for Hyundai’s first high-performance electric vehicle (EV), the Ioniq 5 N.
Developing on the ‘rolling lab’ concept of the N brand called RN22esays the N e-shift feature seeks to match the overall feel of the DCT’s paddle shift action in one petrol-powered N model.
There is also an accompanying sound that reflects the number of revolutions of the engine until pop, pop, pop of the rev limiter, through the loudspeaker. At least, that’s the part that engineers are currently working on getting ready to log off sometime in April or May 2023.
“The idea was to get close to the feel and sound of the DCT in the i30 N hatch,” said Hyundai executive technical advisor and holistic N brand expert Albert Biermann.
“This is what we wanted to deliver, complete with some of the same shaking and shifting you experience on our ICE N cars.
“Although acoustically it’s tough, especially the pops and crackles you get on the i30 N, we’re still working on this technology to bring the DCT experience into the car of a car. internal combustion engine vehicles up the same emotional levels in our Ioniq 5 N EV.
“That’s the goal.
“When we started building an Ioniq EV concept, four or five years ago at our Namyang R&D center, we only used internal speakers and they weren’t enough, just okay, so we added speakerphone and then start simulating vibrations and shifting forces. you will link to DCT in i30 N.
“But now, in the Ioniq 5 N, this development is in the fine-tuning stage, but we’re definitely not done yet, we’re still adding things like rev limiters and audio characters different that you can choose between.
“I call it ‘VGS’ (Virtual Grin Shift) mode and to activate it, you press a button on the steering wheel, then pull both levers at the same time to activate virtual shift mode.
“Obviously in traffic you won’t want to use the paddle shifters in the Ioniq 5 N, so you can simply turn it off by pulling both levers at once, at least, that’s how we do it. have it on Prototype RN22e.
“You will also be able to adjust the healing when teleporting, but we are still working on that, as well as with the character sound.
“We call it N Sound Plus, and when we launch the Ioniq 5 N, drivers will be able to choose from a number of different character sounds or even create and name your own.
“I hope you will also be able to download the new sounds over the air that we make, but things like this will involve ongoing development.”
The Ioniq 5 N is expected to launch locally in late 2023 or early 2024.
