What if... Electric vehicles had that raw driving experience...?

[Sal Collaziano]

I know these ICE vs EV discussions tend to become divisive. I'd really like to avoid that with this discussion. If you must attack anything - attack ideas - not people. No insults either. Just pretend you're sitting at a bar with a bunch of people you LIKE...

That being said... It's probably inevitable that most of us are going to be driving EVs at one point or another. Not everyone - but most of us. Many love the power that EVs provide - and many love the raw feeling of shifting gears and/or hearing/feeling the rumble of their engine and exhaust - and turbo spooling, supercharger whine, blow off valves.

What if the automobile manufacturers built that raw experience into future EVs as an optional feature? AND - the infrastructure was completely ready to support it...? What would you think about having the experience of shifting and the car acting and feeling exactly like you were driving a manual? And what would you think if the engine and exhaust rumbled inside and out the way you'd expect from a muscle car? All of it. Turbo spooling, supercharger whine, blow off valves. The whole experience...

Yes, I do realize a portion of people will still hate the idea just because it's not "real". But I think many would appreciate the experience anyway.

What are your thoughts?

 

[steveinarizona]

What if the automobile manufacturers built that raw experience into future EVs as an optional feature? AND - the infrastructure was completely ready to support it...? What would you think about having the experience of shifting and the car acting and feeling exactly like you were driving a manual? And what would you think if the engine and exhaust rumbled inside and out the way you'd expect from a muscle car? All of it. Turbo spooling, supercharger whine, blow off valves. The whole experience...

I am of the cohort that doesn't like this idea regarding the engine rumble. My GV60P accelerates rapidly and is fast. When I step on it to pass someone I feel it. It is true that when I step on it to pass someone, I am not sharing that feeling with everyone in the neighborhood but to me that is a positive effect. I don't need the sound of a V8 to tell me what the car is doing.

I don't have a problem with the gear shifting suggestion although I would not activate it. It is similar to what some car makers have done with their whining CVTs. These car makers have initiated computer logic to have the car pretend to shift.

My feeling is that we need to get used to the EV experience and stop trying to shoehorn it into the ICE experience.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

I am of the cohort that doesn't like this idea regarding the engine rumble. My GV60P accelerates rapidly and is fast. When I step on it to pass someone I feel it. It is true that when I step on it to pass someone, I am not sharing that feeling with everyone in the neighborhood but to me that is a positive effect. I don't need the sound of a V8 to tell me what the car is doing.

I don't have a problem with the gear shifting suggestion although I would not activate it. It is similar to what some car makers have done with their whining CVTs. These car makers have initiated computer logic to have the car pretend to shift.

My feeling is that we need to get used to the EV experience and stop trying to shoehorn it into the ICE experience.

This is exactly why I had mentioned this being built "as an optional feature". It will definitely not be for everyone. However, I believe something like this would make it more interesting for someone who does like the experience. The more things they like about a vehicle, the more likely they are to buy it (and enjoy owning/driving it).

Are you feeling that it should not be offered as an option at all? Even if people were willing to pay extra for it? Or even if it simply made them happy enough to get into an EV?

 

[steveinarizona]

This is exactly why I had mentioned this being built "as an optional feature". It will definitely not be for everyone. However, I believe something like this would make it more interesting for someone who does like the experience. The more things they like about a vehicle, the more likely they are to buy it (and enjoy owning/driving it).

Are you feeling that it should not be offered as an option at all? Even if people were willing to pay extra for it? Or even if it simply made them happy enough to get into an EV?

Absolutely not. I am in favor of options with one caveat. The artificial rumble should be inside the car, not outside. It is bad enough with Mustangs and Camaros roaring down the street without EVs doing the same thing. Economists talk about "externalities". The loud roar of ICE cars in a residential neighborhood is an externality...the owner is passing his costs on to others.

 

[EdP]

Having driven many stick shift cars, some with power, others not so much, it was fun. A V-8 with glass packs and a 4 speed was the ultimate driving experience. In high school we had the occasional drag race right in front of the school, my brother had the fastest with his '59 Chevy with 348 block and trips.

Would I do it again? Sure, once in a while but over the years, I've learned to like good climate control and smooth quiet acceleration. The EV suits that well.

All that said, it would be fun for many to have the ability of full control. If I could flip a switch and have stick shift and everything that goes with it, I'd do it once in a while. I think it would be wasted on the G90, but could be an attraction on the GV60. Would I pay extra for it? I'd pay $500, but not $2500.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Thank you for the input, you two! I hope more chime in on their feelings about the idea...