The New Lexus LFA Could Have Fake Shifts, But It Won't Match The Old V10
A recent patent filing sheds light on the new shifter
Most car enthusiasts would agree that driving an EV isn't as enjoyable as driving a car with an engine and a transmission. Electric cars can be extraordinarily quick, but most lack the emotion that rev-heads crave. Fortunately, a new simulated transmission for EVs patented by Toyota may bring some much-needed fun to EVs. Hyundai pioneered simulated transmission technology on the Ioniq 5 N, and more recently added it to the Ioniq 6 N and Genesis GV60 Magma with its N car vibe.
Mercedes-AMG and Porsche have followed in Hyundai's footsteps with similar systems. Toyota hasn't given up on its fake manual for EVs, and could use the idea in its new electric LFA supercar, complete with a shifter and a clutch pedal. Toyota demonstrated this technology in late 2022 and filed a patent earlier this year. More recently, the Japanese automaker patented a different kind of fake transmission for EVs in the United States, and it appears more similar to Hyundai's setup, ditching the third pedal and shifter.
A sequential shifter, but in an EV
The patent, uncovered by CarBuzz, shows how an electric vehicle's motors can adjust torque across six gears, mimicking the feel of a traditional automatic transmission or a more advanced dual-clutch setup. When a driver changes gears, the car's onboard systems would momentarily cut power to the motor, adding to the authentic transmission feel. Hyundai's system works similarly by tweaking power during shifts, delivering an authentic jolt like shifting in a combustion-powered car.
The patent filing also points out several advantages of this kind of fake transmission compared to the fully synthetic manual Toyota presented a few years ago. It notes that while a pseudo clutch pedal will appeal to some, many people can't drive a manual. This system aims to appeal to those who want an EV that mimics the feel of a sequential shifter, operated either through paddle shifters or a traditional shift lever.
The new LFA could get solid-state batteries
The second-generation Lexus LFA would be the perfect vehicle to debut this technology on. The car was unveiled as a concept in December 2025 and shares its aluminum chassis with the V8-powered Toyota GR GT. While the LFA doesn't have a combustion engine like the GR GT, we'd argue it looks better and could serve as the perfect halo performance car for Lexus. Admittedly, we'd rather see the LFA return with a high-revving, naturally aspirated V10, but that's unlikely to happen. If the production model is indeed an EV, hopefully Lexus will at least make it fun to drive.
The powertrain behind the new Lexus supercar could also be quite radical. A recent report has indicated that the upcoming LFA could be the first production model from the Toyota group to use advanced solid-state battery cells. The automaker has spent years developing solid-state batteries, and debuting them in an expensive, performance-focused model would make sense.