KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- BMW M Division head praises Hyundai for their EV experience
- Fake gear shifts, rev sounds appreciated for a heightened driving feel
- Future BMW EVs to copy these elements from Hyundai's N-Line EVs
BMW, the German automobile marquee has showcased interest and appreciation for how Hyundai has gone about its approach towards its EVs with the experience that it offers to the passengers. It further went on to express that BMW EVs will be doing something similar along the lines of what Hyundai has been doing. But what exactly is that? Read on to find out how Hyundai is inspiring BMW in its EV trajectory. But before that, make sure to join our 91Wheels WhatsApp Group community to never miss out on any of the latest automotive news and updates.
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BMW EVs To Offer Fake Exhaust Sound, Gear Shifts To Match Hyundai's Experience
Competition is good, but when your competitors appreciate you for something, know that you are on the right track. And this is what Van Meel, head of BMW M Division did by praising how the Hyundai is offering a better EV experience with its N-Line range of electric vehicles.
During an interview, Frank van Meel, Head of BMW M division, praised the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N for its innovative features such as simulated gear shifts, artificial exhaust notes, and drift mode. Van Meel expressed admiration for the Ioniq 5 N's simulated gear shifts, going as far as suggesting that even BMW could benefit from similar technologies in their high-performance cars. He emphasized the challenge of pure EVs lacking traditional gears and sound, which can diminish the driving experience and make speed perception difficult. Van Meel highlighted Hyundai's approach as a solution to enhance driving engagement and emotional appeal in electric vehicles.
When asked about the fake gear shifts and the revving sounds of the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Van Meel said, "I like the way they think, that's the way we think as well, You need to have feedback (in the car). If you're on the track you don't have time to look at your speedometer or tachometer. If you're racing, if you take the time to look at your display, two cars will overtake you. So what you want to have is a way to know what gear you're in, a way to 'feel' the revs.
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"In a pure EV with one gear, no sound, and no emotion, you don't know if you're doing 125, 150, or whatever. You need a solution for that. You have to find a connection to the brain of the driver, without forcing you to look at your speedometer. So I think what (Hyundai) did with gear emulation and sound, is actually what we're working on already, is the way to go. We need something like that in our fast-performance cars."
Also, Frank van Meel recently announced the upcoming release of an all-electric M3 in the near future. This new BMW M3 electric model is expected to feature quad motors with an impressive power output of around 1,341 BHP. The BMW M CEO confidently stated that the electric M3 will set new performance benchmarks, aiming to outperform all competitors in its class. This could introduce the above-said additions for an elevated EV experience.
Verdict
BMW M Division head appreciating Hyundai and expressing their interest and work towards incorporating the same is a welcome and an appreciated move where the competitors are openly appreciating each others work and creating a healthy rivalry that suits everyone in their best interests. However, this is going to further make it difficult for buyers to select their next ride when every automaker is constantly pushing towards a near perfect vehicle.
