Discussion
pgamble said:
Sound is funny. My mate had one of the first (purchased from the motor show) Baby Vantages. It was a beauty to look at and oddly felt similar to drive as my 1993 M3 Supra Turbo (which I absolutely loved). I was however disappointed that it didn’t roar like the old Aston V8s. He really wasn’t keen on the 981s sound at high engine speeds. To me, it was and is just stunning.
As I said, now I can get the GTS4 up to 5-7,500rpm I’ve started to experience the real anger and that noise is rapidly growing on me - perhaps in another couple of drives I’ll even prefer it. Having said that, it’s a little like comparing a smooth straight six with a V8 or an old Audi GT 5 cyl with a flat 6. They are stunning for different reasons. I’m just happy that whilst the GTS4 sound is as different from the 981s as a v8 might be, I love it.
Lesson from last drive though - whilst I thought the 981s with the PDK could be unpredictable (because you had to take into account the 1/2 sec delay on kick down about like a turbo) on corners in the wet, the GTS4 is without doubt significantly more savage, particularly in first and second. That really surprised me and will need some respect.
Great review and captured most of my thoughts on the GTS4 perfectly. Car is growing on me more and more as time/miles go by. Surprised how easy it is to step it out in first and second, the first time being quite the surprise to me (thank God for traction control!). 2,000 miles on the car now and I am loving the manual transmission - cannot imagine going to PDK and would order the manual again knowing what I do now should that be a necessity. The only negative point I can find with the car to date is the fact it appears to be giving my wife a sore neck... Can't imagine how!As I said, now I can get the GTS4 up to 5-7,500rpm I’ve started to experience the real anger and that noise is rapidly growing on me - perhaps in another couple of drives I’ll even prefer it. Having said that, it’s a little like comparing a smooth straight six with a V8 or an old Audi GT 5 cyl with a flat 6. They are stunning for different reasons. I’m just happy that whilst the GTS4 sound is as different from the 981s as a v8 might be, I love it.
Lesson from last drive though - whilst I thought the 981s with the PDK could be unpredictable (because you had to take into account the 1/2 sec delay on kick down about like a turbo) on corners in the wet, the GTS4 is without doubt significantly more savage, particularly in first and second. That really surprised me and will need some respect.
5,000 RPM in 3rd gear you say - Only for the fact I've had a glass of wine this evening, I'd be tempted to nip out for a run to find out and compare!
James McScotty said:
Thanks, that's helpful.
I'm torn between a 981 GT4 or a new GTS 4.0.
Or maybe a 997 turbo...
This may help part of your conundrum https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dO8njNsDKc - I know 718 GT4 is not the same as 4.0 but its only really the suspension which is different. For me the softer setup of the 4.0 swung it - and also the fact I cant get a GT4 up my driveway! I'm torn between a 981 GT4 or a new GTS 4.0.
Or maybe a 997 turbo...
Thanks for the great reviews RichDS and pgamble. I'll add mine when I finally get my car, this week I hope...
bcr5784 said:
Kickdown is a relic from 3 speed torque converter autos. I cannot see the need for it today - having invoked it once or twice by accident I was careful to avoid it on my car.
What I mean by Kickdown, is unless you are slowly pushing the throttle down and fairly gradually accelerating, you push to half or 3/4 or full thottle. When you do that with the PDK, there is a delay when it thinks, ok, the driver wants action, I'll push the revs up and then when I know what's required I'll 'release the clutch'. That takes what seems like a 1/2 sec delay.You never push the throttle down significantly without that increase in revs with a delay before the action actually happening and that is what frustrated me a little. With the manual, it's all down to you and anytime you hit the throttle the response is instant. For me, that has been wonderful. Yes, once you factor in having to change gears or manage traction in first and for the first to second transition, the PDK more than makes up for that 1/2 sec delay giving faster through gear acceleration, it is still a delay you have no control over. With the manual, I had the multi function wheel with buttons rather than paddles on my 981s. They were the only other irritation I had with the car. There was always a delay between hitting a button and the car changing gear - I didn't feel I was really controlling the gear changes.
pgamble said:
What I mean by Kickdown, is unless you are slowly pushing the throttle down and fairly gradually accelerating, you push to half or 3/4 or full thottle. When you do that with the PDK, there is a delay when it thinks, ok, the driver wants action, I'll push the revs up and then when I know what's required I'll 'release the clutch'. That takes what seems like a 1/2 sec delay.
.
Kickdown is when you put your foot flat and the switch under the throttle pedal is made and the lowest possible gear is selected. You are talking about a normal automatic multigear downchange - how long that takes depends on how many gears have to be changed, whether PDK has preselected an upward or downward change, and whether PDK can skip gears. I almost always changed down using the paddle whether in auto or not, so can't be sure whether PDK skips gears (the A110 does, so I'd be surprized if Porsches don't).
Yup, agree with all of that. With the PDK, when you depress the clutch for a multi-gear shift, there is a 1/2 second delay before that is effected with the road wheels. Also, certainly with the button shift steering wheel, there is a distinct lag between pressing a button and anything happening with the gears.
I'm sure mileage varies with other cars with DCT and paddles, but that is what frustrated me with my 981s that I don't get at all with the manual GTS4.
I would expect all autos to have this type of delay.
I'm sure mileage varies with other cars with DCT and paddles, but that is what frustrated me with my 981s that I don't get at all with the manual GTS4.
I would expect all autos to have this type of delay.
pgamble said:
Yup, agree with all of that. With the PDK, when you depress the clutch for a multi-gear shift, there is a 1/2 second delay before that is effected with the road wheels. Also, certainly with the button shift steering wheel, there is a distinct lag between pressing a button and anything happening with the gears.
I'm sure mileage varies with other cars with DCT and paddles, but that is what frustrated me with my 981s that I don't get at all with the manual GTS4.
I would expect all autos to have this type of delay.
All autos have some delay - but there was no discernible delay between pulling the paddle and something happening on my 981S. In any case half a second is still faster than you can do a multi gear (across gate) shift in a manual car. I would sort of agree that occupying yourself with a manual gearchange is rather more satisfying than waiting for the box to do it's thing - even if it does take at least twice as long. As I said I never allowed the box to do multiple downshifts automatically (except when coming to a halt) - so it never irked me. I'm sure mileage varies with other cars with DCT and paddles, but that is what frustrated me with my 981s that I don't get at all with the manual GTS4.
I would expect all autos to have this type of delay.
Edited by bcr5784 on Monday 9th November 16:45
KevinBird said:
So, I looked at Aventurine along with the different blues and just didn’t think they popped enough. Also wouldn’t have chosen gold wheels. Having seen those pictures though - wow - would have been on the shortlist. Lovely.
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