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Porsche is rolling out a number of major updates to its Taycan sports saloon, most notably a new E-Shift virtual gearbox that has been designed to inject an extra dose of feedback on road and track. 

The new virtual gearbox is not dissimilar to that used by Hyundai’s N models and is effectively a simulated eight-speed transmission. Porsche created the system by taking the characteristics of its dual-clutch PDK gearbox and mapping them into the Taycan’s ECU.

Engineers then had to marry up the virtual gearbox with the Taycan’s physical two-speed automatic in order for the system to work seamlessly.

Crucially, Porsche claims that running in E-Shift mode doesn’t limit the Tayan’s power output, nor does it impact its real-world range and efficiency. While Hyundai’s system is tied exclusively to N-badged derivatives, Porsche is rolling out its new E-Shift virtual gearbox across the Taycan’s entire line-up, with each model variant given its own characteristics.

The new E-Shift gearbox works in unison with Porsche Electric Sound, an evolution of the previous engine note available with the Taycan. As Porsche sound design engineer Max Geiger explained, while the team experimented with mimicking a petrol engine, they opted for a synthesised engine note to match the Taycan’s electric roots. 

So what is a Taycan E-Shift like to drive? Thumb the E-Shift button on the GT sport steering wheel and the instrument cluster displays a rev counter in the centre of the dash, with the virtual ’box defaulting to automatic. You’ll immediately notice an audible change inside the car, as the Porsche Electric Sound 'idles' much like that of an combustion engine. 

In Normal mode, it acts just like a smooth eight-speed PDK. Even in this relaxed setting, the simulated ratios immediately give the Taycan more personality and I could see myself using this even for mundane motorway stints.

Flick the rotary E-Shift button to the right and this puts the car into manual mode, allowing you to virtually shift gears using the paddles on the steering wheel. The gearchanges are seamless and the level of integration is of a very high standard.

Shift too late and, like a PDK 911, the rev needle will bounce off the fake limiter. Stamp on the throttle in a high gear – say, seventh – and the Taycan is sluggish and won’t give you that whipcrack performance. You have to flick it down a few gears before you can deploy all the performance. 

Switch the Taycan to Sport or Sport Plus and the gearchanges are far more pronounced, with a discernible kick through your seat as you climb up through the gears. Our GTS’s virtual gearbox didn’t feel as hardcore as Hyundai’s N e-Shift, but the more subtle vibrations and jolts from the gearbox align more with the Taycan’s pseudo-GT character.

That said, I imagine the 1093bhp Taycan Turbo GT with E-Shift would feel more extreme and involving on a track. Ultimately, the ability to control the shifts both into and out of a corner gives you a greater sense of your road speed, allowing you to better judge how you drive the car down a certain road and establish a proper rhythm. 

The new E-Shift function is a reasonable £750 option, but this being Porsche, there’s a catch. You need the GT sports steering wheel, Sports Chrono package and Bose surround sound system.

Opt for a lower-rung model, which forgoes these options as standard, and the total price for adding the E-Shift comes to just over £3000. These features come as standard on the GTS and Turbo S, hence the additional cost of E-Shift is lower – or you can go all-out on a Turbo GT and get the simulated ’box as standard. 

Given that the Taycan was already an incredibly dynamic and engaging electric sports car, the addition of a virtual gearbox has unlocked a whole new layer of involvement. If you like driving but want an electric performance car, there are only a handful of EVs that will offer as much fun as a Taycan E-Shift. 

Porsche Taycan GTS E-ShiftNew virtual gearbox makes one of the most dynamic electric sports cars on sale even more complete as a driver’s car. 

Price £119,015 (£750 for E-Shift) Engine Two permanent magnet synchronous motor Power 690bhp Torque 583lb ft Gearbox 1-spd reduction gear (front), 2-spd automatic (rear) Kerb weight 2285kg0-62mph 3.3sec Top speed 155mph Battery 105kWh (total) Range, economy 389 miles, 3.4mpkWh CO2, tax band 0g/km, 4% Rivals Audi E-tron GT, Polestar 5