It's not really necessary. Yet Japanese automaker Lexus insists that its updated RZ550e electric car be equipped with a fake manual transmission.
Lexus has launched a new version of its electric car, the RZ. One of the changes is a fake gear shift. Or a simulated gearbox, as the company calls it.
The top model, the Lexus RZ 550e F Sport, is equipped with a system that allows the driver to make manual gear changes via a virtual eight-speed gearbox.
The system is synchronized with engine sounds played through the car's speakers to create the illusion of gear shifting, even though nothing is happening. At least not mechanically.
The Lexus RZ electric car is developed using the same technology as the Toyota bZ4X, as Lexus is a subsidiary of Toyota.
A key update in the new version is a steer-by-wire system that removes the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels.
New electric car from Lexus gets better range and battery warming
According to the Japanese, the system makes it possible to adapt the steering to multiple situations and different road surfaces.
In addition to the new steer-by-wire, the electric car's powertrain has been updated and the battery capacity has been increased. The range is extended by up to 100 kilometers, and the battery now has a preheating function for faster charging.
The different versions of the car also offer different engine power of 224, 380 or 408 horsepower respectively.
The base version of the Lexus RZ has front-wheel drive, while the two more powerful models are equipped with four-wheel drive.
Lexus describes the fake gearshift system in a press release as a way to "give the driver a deeper connection with the car and the ability to control the car's muscles. Just like a manual transmission."
The updated RZ, which in many ways is just a more expensive Toyota bZ4X, will be ready in Denmark from 2026. For the same reason, the importer cannot say anything about the price yet.
