981 Spyder -Why no PDK

[Johnthepotter]

Am I alone in being confused by the lack of PDK on new Spyder. I was 100% ready to change my current Spyder but withdrew my LOI when it was announced there would be no PDK. Has anyone had an explanation of why this is so. I can (sort of) understand a manual focus on track focused cars like the GT4 though the lack of manual on cars such as GT 3RS blurs the picture somewhat. In my view , Spyders are less likely to be used on track days as much as GT 4 etc. and will be used more on cross country blasts and fine week ends (and maybe daily drivers)so I would have thought a choice of PDK would have been more appropriate ( and before Mr D enters the discussion, I have no wish to resurrect the tedious PDK v Manual debate. its personal choice in my view depending on how you want to use your car). Do you think there is any chance of a PDK being introduced for next model year (I think it unlikely).

[EricE]

GT4 and Spyder with PDK would simply be too quick for the money compared to the rest of the lineup.
The manual only gearbox caters to the enthusiasts and it keeps 991 owners happy. Win-win for Porsche.
I don't find it confusing at all, Porsches are marketing geniuses.

[bcr5784]

Porsche clearly have a pretty poor opinion of their buyers - believing that they are so dim that they can't see that 0-60 times are pretty irrelevant at this level of performance and don't know that PDKs are going to post better figures than manuals. And even Nordschleife figures are of little consequence on the road (and not much for most buyers on the track).

Unfortunately they may be right and their punters perhaps are fixated with bar room bragging rights.

[RBT0]

I quite understand Porsche in its Spyder manual gbx strategy, not on GT4, as 991 GT3 PDK exists.

Spyder is a lightweight car, ok for a lighter manual gbx.

GT4 is a lap time track car, in my view, Porsche must go for eye-blink gearshift PDK.

Marketing off course.

Anyway PDK coming on GT4 in one year or so...

[m33ufo]

Manual is the new PDK!

[DMC2]

Supposedly PDK didn't fit in the Cayman or Boxster because of the bigger engine... yeah right.

I'm pretty sure I saw a video of a Cayman GT4 at the ring which sounded very much like it had PDK... but somebody at Porsche UK whispered to me that they had to remove PDK as the GT4 lapped the ring more or less on pace with the GT3!

[TDT]

DMC2 said:

Supposedly PDK didn't fit in the Cayman or Boxster because of the bigger engine... yeah right.

LMFAO… exactly, yeah right - do they think people are mugs or something?!

DMC2 said:

I'm pretty sure I saw a video of a Cayman GT4 at the ring which sounded very much like it had PDK... but somebody at Porsche UK whispered to me that they had to remove PDK as the GT4 lapped the ring more or less on pace with the GT3!

Sounds exactly right to me!

[Beaver]

Anyone know for sure if it is as limited as the forums suggest?
The Porsche site initially stated "special order only, contact your centre" but that's disappeared.

[av185]

m33ufo said:

Manual is the new PDK!

And PDK S is the new 'manuel'.......

[Johnthepotter]

RBTO what info do you have that suggests PDK coming to GT4? If it is true then I would hazard a guess it will also come to Spyder!

[av185]

Only a very slim chance PDK will come to the GT4 and Spyder and anyone holding out for one is likely to be bumped and lose their slot as only c 45 cars of each model per year over 2 years.

[bcr5784]

RBT0 said:

I quite understand Porsche in its Spyder manual gbx strategy, not on GT4, as 991 GT3 PDK exists.

Spyder is a lightweight car, ok for a lighter manual gbx.



Marketing off course.

Anyway PDK coming on GT4 in one year or so...

Even the difference in weights is largely a marketing difference rather than a real one. The standard spec of the GT4 INCLUDES aircon and radio (and presumably the weight reflects that) the Spyder doesn't include them (and hence the lower weight). Given that they are a no cost DELETE on the GT4 and and a no cost ADD on the Spyder means that in reality the weight difference is artificial. Factor in that the Spyder has buckets, the GT4 heavier sports seats as standard, as well as bigger wheels and tyres and you can say that, in reality their weights are very similar. I did see one report saying the Spyder roof saved 11kg. If that is so that would put a Spyder 6kg lighter than a Cayman to the same spec - but probably a bit more for the GT4 with it's bigger wheels, unless the humps are heavy.

Re PDK the only Porsche statement I've seen in the press sort-of implied that the GT4 wouldn't come with PDK, but could be taken to mean the Spyder might.

[V8A*ndy]

I'm also disappointed.

I've limited use of my right hand/arm and although I can drive a manual relatively safely, PDK is really rather helpful.

[AdamV12V]

can we have another debate on PDK -v- manual please...

[Akajak]

will there be a second run; thought it was all hands on deck for the 4cyl turbo production

I would have opted for PDK but couldn't see it anytime soon so ordered as it is

Edited by Akajak on Saturday 4th April 17:33

[juansolo]

TDT said:

DMC2 said:

Supposedly PDK didn't fit in the Cayman or Boxster because of the bigger engine... yeah right.

LMFAO… exactly, yeah right - do they think people are mugs or something?!

Indeed, seems RUF have no problem fitting both the full fat 3.8 and PDK to Boxsters and Caymans. It's utter bks, but to be expected. As mentioned before. The flat earthers have to go faster than the mid engined cars because that's where they sit in Porsches hierarchy in terms of price and marketing. EVERYONE knows that the Cayman taken out to the same degree that the 911 is would be a superior track car. Of course it would. But it's never going to happen. Likewise they're never going to allow it to encroach heavily onto 911 sales because the 911 is the halo product and is marketed as such.

We've just got to be thankful that the GT4 exists at all and that IMO it's much, much cooler than the trying so very hard GT3. But it'll never get that engine unless someone like RUF transplants it in there. Actually it makes me want to see a GT4 with RUFs V8 in it. It'd set the flat earthers vibrating with how 'not a real Porsche' it would be

[RBT0]

Andrea Preuniger mentioned it during an interview with Evo. PDK could come later on GT4.

[av185]

juansolo said:

Indeed, seems RUF have no problem fitting both the full fat 3.8 and PDK to Boxsters and Caymans. It's utter bks, but to be expected. As mentioned before. The flat earthers have to go faster than the mid engined cars because that's where they sit in Porsches hierarchy in terms of price and marketing. EVERYONE knows that the Cayman taken out to the same degree that the 911 is would be a superior track car. Of course it would. But it's never going to happen. Likewise they're never going to allow it to encroach heavily onto 911 sales because the 911 is the halo product and is marketed as such.

We've just got to be thankful that the GT4 exists at all and that IMO it's much, much cooler than the trying so very hard GT3. But it'll never get that engine unless someone like RUF transplants it in there. Actually it makes me want to see a GT4 with RUFs V8 in it. It'd set the flat earthers vibrating with how 'not a real Porsche' it would be

Believe me....the GT3 doesn't have to try very hard at all.....it is utterly brilliant.

[DiscoColin]

They plan to make considerably fewer than the apparent demand for the car - if the marketing niche doesn't call for it, why ever would they offer it? The only reason to do so would be if it lost sales, which as a point of definition from the supply: it won't.

[bcr5784]

DiscoColin said:

They plan to make considerably fewer than the apparent demand for the car - if the marketing niche doesn't call for it, why ever would they offer it? The only reason to do so would be if it lost sales, which as a point of definition from the supply: it won't.

I suspect they are doing their usual thing of protecting the 911. They needed a manual alternative for those who simply would not buy PDK, and to maintain their sports car credentials - but they don't want to build too many (or, I suspect offer PDK) for fear of taking more profitable 911 sales. It's the same reason that both the GT4 and Spyder are deliberately niche market cars in the first place. And when the turbo 4s come out they will have re-established clear water between the 981 and 911 again.