It’s a lot more detail than I have seen in other articles about this subject.

The systemm which has been in development for three years, will be a factory option buyers can select in models created on the new modular architecture being developed for launch in 2026. This will include a production version of the FT-Se sports car concept, which is being seen as a spiritual successor to the MR2. The system is likely to be standard in cars with this kind of performance focus.

Hmm. So it’s going to be “standard” on the sports car, but can we at least bypass it, switch it off? If we can’t, that’s a deal breaker to me.

The system is almost entirely software-operated, with hardware tweaks limited to a clutch pedal and gear shift borrowed from a Toyota GR86, and a rev counter and some new switchgear to select the mode. Paddle shifts are possible, too.

Man, I really have no use for paddles.

Toyota is also developing ‘On Demand’ software for BEVs that changes the performance of the car to mimic certain other models.

This is the part I hadn’t seen mentioned before.

Then there’s a secondary ‘Engine start’ button, which fires an engine sound up - and a familiar one at that: a Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Please no. Just no.

All the usual manual features are there: engine braking, coasting and most amusingly no torque when you suddenly try and accelerate in top gear, which then brings with it synthetic sound of parts of the cabin trim rattling. It sounds like a gimmick but it’s actually all rather believable.

This is all against my automotive religion. But okay Toyota, I’m no fanatic. Just let me switch off all the nonsense gimmicks, and I’ll consider your car. If it can’t all be turned off, or if the added switchgear looks like it’s going to get in my way at all, just remember that there will be other companies selling EV sports cars without this, and I can buy from them.