[RahulNagaraj]

Speaking at an interview, Frank van Meel, Head of BMW M division spoke highly of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and its simulated gear shifts, fake exhaust notes and drift mode.

In particular, Van Meel seemed to be impressed by the Ioniq 5 N's simulated gear shifts. So much so, that he stated that even BMW needs something like that in their fast performance cars. He mentioned how pure EVs with one gear and no sound produces no emotions, while also making it hard to judge how fast one is driving. Van Meel stated that one of the ways to fix that is what Hyundai is doing.



He stated, "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."

The BMW M CEO further went on to mention, "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 — which is actually what we’re working on already – is the way to go. We need something like that in our fast performance cars."

Frank van Meel also recently confirmed the arrival of an all-electric M3 in the near future. The new BMW M3 electric is said to have quad motors and produce around 1,341 BHP. The BMW M CEO also claimed that the electric M3 will "beat everything".

Source: TopGear

Link to Team-BHP news

[amol4184]

"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."

Perfect example to depict the importance of feedback.

The BMW M CEO further went on to mention, "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."

I like how this man is speaking a common man's language without throwing technical jargons, without being vague.

[RMN]

Kudos to him to acknowledge and appreciate a competition!

[Quicksilver85]

This post impressed me for a few reasons.

1. Firstly, it shows the character of the CEO to acknowledge something like this in public that a competitor is doing something worth considering in his own company.
2. Secondly, Full marks to Hyundai where it is due. I mean 2 decades ago, the company was nowhere in terms desirability and innovation. Now that the competition from many segments higher is appreciating is truly commendable work.

Off-topic, I guess the Japanese car companies have stopped innovating barring maybe Toyota and handed over the mantle to the Koreans. Look at where MSIL is still stuck with kitna deti hai mentality instead of bringing some inspirational products, same goes with Honda, once an epitome of luxury in the affordable segment has been relegated to a minor player with dated looking cars and dated interiors (Honda Elevate) falling behind on tech. The less spoken about Nissan, the better.

One area where Hyundai can improve is their build quality. No matter what they say about HSS and AHSS (read as High strength Steel and Advanced HSS), in real world accidents the cars have not been able to hold candle against Tatas and the Mahindras.

[Asish_VK]

How time has changed. Hyundai was the company mocked by almost everyone for copying technology, design and ideas from other brands, especially European brands. Now one of the best European manufacturer copying / getting inspired by them.