- Porsche has filed a new patent for a transmission gear selector that can operate either an automatic or manual gearbox.
- Sensors track the movement of the shift lever, recreating the feel of shifting gears with springs and motors.
- Drivers can choose between the two, regardless of the underlying transmission.
Porsche has filed a new patent for a transmission gear selector that can operate like a manual or automatic, depending on driver preference. The automaker filed a patent in August 2024 with the German Patent and Trademark Office, but it was only made public in early March.
This patent was first discovered by Car Buzzdetails a shift-by-wire gear selector that can operate like a standard automatic. The selector can move forward and backward, cycling through drive, neutral, and reverse.
Photo by: German Patent and Trademark Office
The selector also has an H-pattern option that allows the driver to move the shifter left and right, as well as forward and backward. The driver can then select the desired gear as with a mechanical manual gearbox.
Sensors track the movement of the lever, with springs and an electric motor recreating the sensation of shifting gears. This will allow Porsche to provide a manual-like experience regardless of the transmission underneath, whether it’s a standard torque converter automatic or a dual-clutch.
While this sounds like a good idea—and reminiscent of Koenigsegg’s clever “Light Speed Transmission”—it’s still a patent. This means there’s a chance we’ll never see this technology on a production vehicle, considering automakers are always filing patents for things that never become a reality. At least this is hope.
Motorcycle Pickup1: Modern buyers don’t love manual transmissions as much as they once did, but there’s still a dedicated group of people who wouldn’t want anything else. This new technology allows Porsche to maintain a manual experience regardless of the underlying transmission.
