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Featured Lexus Announces Manual Transmissions at the Kenshiki Forum

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by drash, Dec 6, 2022.

  1. drash

    drash Senior Member

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    LEXUS ELECTRIFIED TO REINVENT THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE

    In addition to showing off their new RZ 450e, Lexus Europe also announced they intend to provide manual transmission in EVs. First up will be the UX 300e and will include not only the gear lever but a clutch as well.

    Excerpt form the presentation:
    "An EV powertrain with manual transmission

    For many drivers, the control and engagement provided by a manual transmission is an important part of an enjoyable driving experience. Lexus has investigated how a battery electric vehicle might be equipped with a manual transmission – a project that has progressed to focused development using a research prototype based on the UX 300e compact SUV, equipped with a gear lever and a clutch pedal.

    Takashi Watanabe, Lexus Electrified Chief Engineer, explained: “From the outside, this vehicle is as quiet as any other BEV. But the driver is able to experience all the sensations of a manual transmission vehicle. It is a software-based system, so it can be programmed to reproduce the driving experience of different vehicle types, letting the driver choose their preferred mapping.”

    With the DIRECT4 and One Motion Grip systems also being software-based, Lexus will be able to explore new opportunities for performance customisation to provide a personalised experience for each driver."

    Kirk Kreisels has a video on this as well.
     
  2. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Well, nearly all the aftermarket and DIY EV conversions use cars with a manual transmission. Using the car's existing transmission lowered the costs. The manual was more efficient, and likely easier to get working with an electric motor.
     
  3. Shahid Uddin Mahamud

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    But what about mpg in this system.
     
  4. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Yeah, but this isn't that.

    This is a virtual manual transmission. You get to customize all the settings and change them whenever you feel like it. But it's just a control system feeding a single-speed EV drivetrain.

    And honestly, that actually sounds really fun to work on- I bet the guys building it have had a blast. I get the distinct vibe that this is one of those things that is more fun to build than to own/operate later.
     
  5. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Buy ‘Grand Theft Auto’ or any other car game and get over it. Synthetic transmission is a fraud on everyone who touches it.

    Bob Wilson
     
  6. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    So not much different than a CVT with virtual gears.

    That is disappointing. Multispeed transmissions do lead to better EV efficiency. Maybe even lower costs, by allowing smaller, cheaper motors.
     
  7. drash

    drash Senior Member

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    You would think Lexus would provide an overdrive gear to help with extending EV range for highway cruising or even long lower speed motorways. This would be great and let's hope that it is more than a gadget. Maybe Lexus will surprise us?!?! ;)
     
  8. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

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    It actually is quite different than a cvt mimicking the behavior of a stepped transmission by using virtual gears. In that case the engine rpm is changed and the droning some don't like with cvts is eliminated.

    Here there is no different real difference as motor noise is already low and unobtrusive, and a single speed ev already is linear in response. It is trying to add a video game feature to the car.

    Tesla found that it was less expensive to have more powerful motors and inverters than to have a two speed transmission. It was a design choice on the initial roadster that took some engineering back then. There is a disadvantage which is high speed acceleration, but few are going to need power to go from 70 mph to 150 mph. Porsche did design the taycan with a two speed, not for cost but for this acceleration. Tesla chose to have differently geared single speed transmissions on each axle on a awd vehicle with different motor characteristics (one for efficiency, one for higher power). On the semi they added a clutch to disengage the other motors for more efficiency and less drag.

    This is a face lift not a redesign, they weren't going to change the transmission. If they really thought a 2 speed was better they would try it on their next ev, not this one, which was mainly designed to meet requirements of chinese regulators. They did add more battery, but chademo charging in europe shows they did not really do the work to make this a competive ev.