But this is more ‘virtual combustion powertrain’ than just a fake gear stick…Toyota is developing a manual transmission that it hopes to use in future electric cars, with the intention of making EVs more engaging to drive.Yet this system won’t just project localised feedback to the clutch pedal and gear stick, but will also augment the torque being delivered from the electric powertrain.What about the boosty build of a 2JZ-GTE twin-turbocharged straight-six from an A80 Supra RZ – it can all be recreated through the virtual transmission, precise torque mapping and sound generators.Takashi Watanabe, Lexus Electrified Chief Engineer, explained: ‘From the outside, this vehicle is as quiet as any other BEV.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.’Lexus has already built a working prototype based on the electric Lexus UX300e crossover, to which it has mapped in the engine and transmission feel of a petrol engine."