EV simulates ICE!

Author
Discussion

Mikehig

Original Poster:

777 posts

66 months

Thursday 8th September 2022
quotequote all
A while back I suggested that an EV could be made to simulate driving an ICE - using software to give a sort of a cross between a car and a driving game. That attracted some flak.

Now Hyundai have started down that route:
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/hyundai...

The key bit:
"Which is where the second system came in, this being known internally as virtual gearshift. It’s as mad as it sounds; once energised the speakers start to simulate the noise of rising revs, and - if the driver doesn’t shift up through the steering wheel paddle in time - it ultimately brings the car to a simulated limiter, acceleration tailing off as if the car has hit a slick of treacle. In the RN22e the only indication of how hard the pretend engine was working came from the changing volume and pitch of the artificial soundtrack, but Hyundai engineers say that a production version would have a rev-counter display and change-up lights. Also, more interestingly, it will be able to model the power characteristic of a combustion engine at different speeds, meaning it will be possible to feel the effect of shifting up early. Who knows, it may even be ludicrous enough to catch on."

It's a good remedy for the "appliance" tag often stuck on EVs. You could have a bland SUV for the commute or, click a few icons, something that sounds and feels like whatever takes your fancy. It would be an elaboration of the driving mode options common to many cars already. Fun times?!

Greedydog

911 posts

200 months

Thursday 8th September 2022
quotequote all
Mikehig said:
A while back I suggested that an EV could be made to simulate driving an ICE - using software to give a sort of a cross between a car and a driving game. That attracted some flak.

Now Hyundai have started down that route:
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/hyundai...

The key bit:
"Which is where the second system came in, this being known internally as virtual gearshift. It’s as mad as it sounds; once energised the speakers start to simulate the noise of rising revs, and - if the driver doesn’t shift up through the steering wheel paddle in time - it ultimately brings the car to a simulated limiter, acceleration tailing off as if the car has hit a slick of treacle. In the RN22e the only indication of how hard the pretend engine was working came from the changing volume and pitch of the artificial soundtrack, but Hyundai engineers say that a production version would have a rev-counter display and change-up lights. Also, more interestingly, it will be able to model the power characteristic of a combustion engine at different speeds, meaning it will be possible to feel the effect of shifting up early. Who knows, it may even be ludicrous enough to catch on."

It's a good remedy for the "appliance" tag often stuck on EVs. You could have a bland SUV for the commute or, click a few icons, something that sounds and feels like whatever takes your fancy. It would be an elaboration of the driving mode options common to many cars already. Fun times?!
I’m a huge fan of ICE cars, especially performance ones. I’m also a huge fan of EVs, especially performance ones. I can’t however see any point in rubbish like this beyond perhaps being a marketing gimmick. IMHO certain traits in performance cars are overly romanticised, especially in enthusiast forums and social media. The vast majority of people I suspect couldn’t care less about simulating a ICE car. It’s a bit like the manual vs auto/PDK/DSG etc debate, whenever there is a choice, 90+% of buyers go for the auto. Ultimately it will be the same for EVs, the number of people who won’t buy the latest EV Macan, 911 or even Ioniq 5 N etc. unless it has simulated gears and noise will be tiny versus those who will, and will be happy with the EV power delivery.


Edited by Greedydog on Thursday 8th September 20:09

Discombobulate

5,006 posts

191 months

Thursday 8th September 2022
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EVs just do most of what you need so much better - particularly acceleration and refinement. If you want the ICE experience keep an old toy to get it. I don’t see the point of trying to fake ICE attractions.

Mr E

22,032 posts

264 months

Thursday 8th September 2022
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I fitted a set of reins to my car to better simulate riding a horse.

rewild

3,019 posts

144 months

Thursday 8th September 2022
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It's harmless fun. You don't have to use it. I wouldn't, but I'm glad it exists.

ashenfie

786 posts

51 months

Friday 9th September 2022
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Why fake it when you can have the real thing. There is not much difference unless you want a manual. If you want some gears you get a Porsche, I suspect many more car may copy this idea. Want something to drown out the road noise, turn the stereo up

Mikehig

Original Poster:

777 posts

66 months

Friday 9th September 2022
quotequote all
rewild said:
It's harmless fun. You don't have to use it. I wouldn't, but I'm glad it exists.
Exactly!

Also there may be a bit of reverse-psychology going on....give folk the option of driving the car like an ICE and see how many make use of it. It's probably a novelty that will wear off quickly.

jinba-ittai

1,249 posts

215 months

Friday 9th September 2022
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ashenfie said:
Why fake it when you can have the real thing. There is not much difference unless you want a manual. If you want some gears you get a Porsche, I suspect many more car may copy this idea. Want something to drown out the road noise, turn the stereo up
Same reason all BMW's fabled six cylinder cars have a fake engine noise playing through the car's speaker system

Panamax

4,680 posts

39 months

Friday 9th September 2022
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jinba-ittai said:
Same reason all BMW's fabled six cylinder cars have a fake engine noise playing through the car's speaker system
And some variomatic transmissions simulate the gearshifts of a conventional auto.

Don't get me started on fake carbon fibre...

Dynion Araf Uchaf

4,624 posts

228 months

Friday 9th September 2022
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i think it is a good idea.

Not sure I'd limit it to noise based, I'd like something that limits torque as you go up through the gears, and speed in each gear. Then you could simulate at least a flappy paddle gearbox very well.

It might not appeal to the a2b'ers but would be cool around a track.

stef1808

968 posts

162 months

Friday 9th September 2022
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Pointless and misses the point what an EV is

ten200

214 posts

97 months

Friday 9th September 2022
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I can see the appeal of something like this if you were retrofitting an electric motor in a classic car. The ev system could imitate the character of the original engine when you wanted it, or you could switch to a normal ev character when you wanted an easier drive. If it was done right, it could be like having a daily car and a weekend toy in one.

aestetix1

868 posts

56 months

Friday 9th September 2022
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I always thought it was odd that EVs had creep, like a fossil car with automatic gearbox. It's entirely artificial.

I guess they wanted to make them familiar to drive for people used to automatics, but what is now called one pedal mode is actually a lot more convenient. All EVs should at least be able to switch between the two.

TheDeuce

24,233 posts

71 months

Friday 9th September 2022
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Given that Hyundai can do this all in software, why not? Who knows - perhaps it will convince a few to go EV?

But... If we were to visit a museum of motoring in 50 years time and look back at the establishment of EV, I doubt this particular novelty will get a mention.

In real world terms for the vast majority of EV adopters, not worrying about having to make or even being bothered by a gear change is the big selling point. It's like a twist and pull scooter, it just sets off nice and easy. And then does a supercar destroying 0-60.

....ok, not exactly like a scooter. But as simple and appealing smile

ashenfie

786 posts

51 months

Saturday 10th September 2022
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TheDeuce said:
Given that Hyundai can do this all in software, why not? Who knows - perhaps it will convince a few to go EV?

But... If we were to visit a museum of motoring in 50 years time and look back at the establishment of EV, I doubt this particular novelty will get a mention.

In real world terms for the vast majority of EV adopters, not worrying about having to make or even being bothered by a gear change is the big selling point. It's like a twist and pull scooter, it just sets off nice and easy. And then does a supercar destroying 0-60.

....ok, not exactly like a scooter. But as simple and appealing smile
I don't thats the limiting factor, research shows people worry about range and charging, regardless of the facts/fictions.

Donbot

4,110 posts

132 months

Sunday 11th September 2022
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I like it. And even though it isn't real it's more real than playing with pretend cars on a computer, and I find that good fun.

You could probably make it so you can hook up a sim racing clutch pedal and gearstick. You could get the motors to simulate the clutch biting point and all sorts.

Edited by Donbot on Sunday 11th September 13:22

dxg

8,595 posts

265 months

Sunday 11th September 2022
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Toyota got there first: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/toyota/357350/toyota...

Supposedly coming in their LFA successor.

Donbot

4,110 posts

132 months

Sunday 11th September 2022
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So they did! You could simulate pretty much any engine characteristic providing the power is there. You could download the Renault 5 turbo map etc.

Though throwing a sim racing rig into your EV might result in over enthusiasm, and Greenpeace won't like that.

DMZ

1,513 posts

165 months

Sunday 11th September 2022
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I don’t think the answer is to making an EV engaging is a bunch of fakery. I think BMW was on the right path with the i3 as it’s a fun thing to chuck about the place. Which means the answer lies in low weight (as usual) and to some extent sitting low in the car. Maybe some ediff trickery to get the car to feel agile and help with rotation. If they can get on top of this I think I can briefly forget about lack of mechanical engagement.

stu vxr

276 posts

112 months

Sunday 11th September 2022
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Discombobulate said:
EVs just do most of what you need so much better - particularly acceleration and refinement. If you want the ICE experience keep an old toy to get it. I don’t see the point of trying to fake ICE attractions.
Totally agree, love both for a particular application, but anyone who has a fast ICE car probably won't agree on the acceleration( apart from some of the tesla's)

Yes day to day EV is a dream (always choose the EV pool car at work to do the daily duty) but weekend no way, I love to drive and that's why I love my old toy.