In recent years there has been a lot of debate around the traditional manual changes. Although they are an element highly valued by the most purist public, the reality is that most drivers are preferring the comfort of an automatic or the absence of transmission as in electric. It has been shown that even in this type of vehicle something similar could be mounted, but it might not be of interest. In fact, Honda doesn’t trust simulated manual shifting for your electric futures.
This has been stated by the CEO of the company, Toshihiro Mibe, and director of electrification, Shinji Aoyama, in a recent interview. Faced with the initiative of other manufacturers such as Toyota, who intend to make electric manuals, Honda managers said they do not think it is what they are looking for. Not even in its sportiest models, and that there are two projected. “We could do it artificially. Mechanically, it’s not that easy,” were Aoyama’s statements.
It is clear that it is not a question of viability (it can be done), it is more about the philosophy of the brand. They don’t like the idea of an artificial solution and they believe there are other ways to make their electrics fun to drive. In the coming years we will see more virtual transmissions in electric than try to simulate the behavior of a manual transmission, with its jumps between gears, but it is possible that none comes close to the level of sensations that the real ones offer. It’s a shame, but they could gradually disappear.
Specifically, at Honda, it is planned to end combustion cars little by little. Electrics should be 40% of its sales by 2030, represent 80% by 2035 and reach full by 2040. There would still be more than a decade left to enjoy some copies with a manual transmission such as the Honda Civic Type R, which is the maximum exponent of purist sportsmanship. The compact will arrive in early 2023 on our continent to continue the tradition of the Japanese firm and show that for the next decade you will continue to be able to enjoy of the manual transmission.