Tuesday 14th February 2012

PDK-only for next Porsche 911 GT3?

Porsche is seriously considering it, we hear

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The next Porsche 911 GT3, due next year, could be PDK-only, according to a report from US site Inside Line.

Currently both manual and twin-clutch PDK versions of the new hardcore 911 are being evaluated, but only one gearbox will eventually find its way into a production-ready GT3. And 911 project chief, August Achleitner, reckons that the winner could well be the PDK.

"When we launched the 911 Turbo S, we did not offer a manual, but we have not had a single complaint," Achleitner told Inside Line.

Pretty telling stuff, but it would be a brave move to risk the wrath of manual-loving Porsche purists for the sake of a more populist 'box. Especially as both the new GT3 and GT2 will get the 991's electromechanical power steering set-up, which has been criticised by some for offering less 'feel'.

The big question is: if you're going to buy a 911 GT3, do you mind that it could have both electric power steering and a PDK transmission...?

[hunt_the_fox]

In answer to your question, on a GT3? Manual only.

[hunt_the_fox]

George H said:

Atomas said:

If the GT3 is supposed to be a hardcore, track focused weapon, why shouldn't a faster, more efficient PDK transmission be on the only available option?

Makes a lot of sense to me.

But is the point of a track car only to get around the track as quickly as possible?

For me a track car should be more than a load of computer aided stuff that will flatter my meagre driving talent, it has to have feel and feedback and rawness. For my money you will lose that with both electric power steering and PDK.

My point is that if I buy a track car then I want to be the one driving it.