Hyundai wants to restore some of the ‘fun to drive’ theatrics to its electric vehicles, and it is preparing to expand the range of combustion-style driver traits in its flagship EVs.

The high-performance N division of Hyundai attracted attention when it launched the Ioniq 5 N EV with N e-Shift – a software tweak that allowed drivers to experience the feel of firing through an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox with power-delivery pauses, engine sounds, and an imitation redline.

In an interview with Autocar in the UK, the head of Hyundai Motor Group’s research and development division, Manfred Harrer, revealed that future versions of Hyundai’s N cars will push the N e-Shift experience even further.

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“We are leading, we are not following, on this technology,” Harrer said. “In the next generation of these cars, I want to make it even more realistic. I want to enhance it further.”

Although he stopped short of detailing how that integration would take form in future vehicles, Harrer gave plenty of hints of what to expect, mentioning “idling, exhaust backfiring” and “vibration in the car”.

Despite a focus on improved performance credentials for N cars, Harrer stressed that the company’s goal is to promote driver enjoyment, rather than outright speed.

His justification for the investment in creating simulated combustion-engine experiences for electric cars: “We are not the serious Porsche guys. We are fun to drive.”

Hyundai’s approach appears to have been noticed by other carmakers, with Honda introducing a similar simulated gearshift on its hybrid and electric vehicles, starting with the Prelude coupe and Super-One warm hatch, but with plans to roll it out across the range on future products.

Porsche has also announced that the Taycan EV will adopt artificial gearshift and engine noises, tailored to each specific model in its line-up, despite previously criticising Hyundai’s system.

While largely software-based, Hyundai’s full range of expanded ‘experience features’ may be held back until the next-generation Intelligent Modular Architecture (IMA) platform, the replacement for the current E-GMP platform, launches within the next few years.