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.

[Ekona]

Keep the manual 'box for the RS, which will make it even more special.

Ironically the one thing stopping me (money aside) from buying a GT3 is that I'd prefer a PDK 'box, so this move would actually be a positive thing for me.

[T1PP3R]

[Atomas]

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?

[German]

This is just depressing. "It seems the new majority of our customers like to think they can drive, yet are far to inept to use a manual 'box. Apologies to our original customer demographic and kisses, Porsche." I understand that interest in driving, ability and bank balance arent directly related, but the GT3 is a drivers car...if you dont like manual get the aforementioned Turbo S ffs :/

[George H]

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.

[leemanning]

I would have thought it wouldn't be too much of an issue to offer both?

Clearly the PDK box can handle the power the new GT3 will be putting out and as far as I'm aware the gearbox setup isn't particularly different on the 997 manual cars.

I think that sometimes we can get too hung up on insisting we need a manual in a drivers car, but if you look at cars like the latest offerings from Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren - they are all paddle shift boxes.

Undoubtedly the next GT3 will sell more units if PDK is available, but will they sell less if it is PDK only, and I think that is the question Porsche are asking themselves right now.

[dlockhart]

Arnt gt3 cars normally delivered 2 years after the model is first released. so who knows what porsche will be doing then with gear boxes.

[Garlick]

Trouble is, the 911 gearbox is such a joy to use that I don't want a PDK. If the change was awfully heavy or notchy then maybe, but it's a peach of a gearbox.

Also, with all the £££ invested in this:



It would seem odd to omit it from the more performance orientated cars.

[Krikkit]

leemanning said:

I think that sometimes we can get too hung up on insisting we need a manual in a drivers car, but if you look at cars like the latest offerings from Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren - they are all paddle shift boxes.

Undoubtedly the next GT3 will sell more units if PDK is available, but will they sell less if it is PDK only, and I think that is the question Porsche are asking themselves right now.

But it'd be nice to have the option of a manual. These cars shouldn't always be about being as absolutely fast as they can be, sometimes it should be the pleasure of driving it, which for a lot of folks means a nice manual box and deciding when you want to change.

I'd say the GT3 should have both and an RS model should be PDK only as it's supposed to be the track blaster.

[Adom]

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

Unbelievable. Anyone who thinks this is a step in the right direction needs a battering.

I give up.

[Luca Brasi]

If Ferrari, Lambo and McLaren all use paddle shifters, why wouldn't Porsche do the same? Does seem strange to offer only one gearbox option though.

[Speed_Demon]

Wouldn't mind PDK on the GT3, but would be against it on the RS. Just because the RS have always been about ultimate driver involvement and while PDK provides better performance, like it or not it lessens driver involvement and immersement.

[RudolphsOwner]

Does adding a PDK gearbox and electronic power steering not detract from the whole ethos of what a GT3 should be, bare bones road racer for those that are skilled at driving? Plus if they are going to evaluate both options, which means they got to the point of engineering, manufacturing and testing both options, why not just offer both options to the general public? Although I don't have the funds to purchase one, my thinking has always been that the type of person to purchase a GT3 is someone that can most likely afford a Ferrari/Lamborghini/etc but chosen to buy a Porsche for the specific driving experience, therefore even if you were to increase the price of these cars to accommodate the cost of manufacturing the differing gearbox, people would still wish to purchase it...

[David87]

I don't think Turbo S and GT3 buyers are the same kind of folk, though. Why can't they offer a choice like in the current (lesser) 991s? That'd keep nearly everyone happy!

[pagani1]

As someone who will never be able to afford one who cares? Ferrari has gone this route and anything that simplifies production for a manufacturer is tempting and sensible. This way you keep two hands on the wheel of their most powerful car, it may save your life one day.

[Fire99]

Come wind, rain or shine, I'll always be a stick twiddler. PDK is not for me.

[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.

[TobesH]

Garlick said:

Trouble is, the 911 gearbox is such a joy to use that I don't want a PDK. If the change was awfully heavy or notchy then maybe, but it's a peach of a gearbox.

Also, with all the £££ invested in this:



It would seem odd to omit it from the more performance orientated cars.

Porsche have consistently delivered the nicest gearboxes. And because the engines are always so flexible and tractable as a package it would be a shame for the stick shift to be omitted, even if it was kept as an option.

[Garlick]

pagani1 said:

As someone who will never be able to afford one who cares? Ferrari has gone this route and anything that simplifies production for a manufacturer is tempting and sensible. This way you keep two hands on the wheel of their most powerful car, it may save your life one day.

I care, for all the reasons stated above.

Plenty of miles have been covered in both PDK and manual 911's, and I would always take the manual. Even after covering a lot of miles in the very latest Turbo-S PDK. It's good, but I adore the 911 manual gearbox, besides you aren't always 'on it' despite what some PHers say