991 GT3 - flappy paddles
Discussion
Is it just me or is Porsche missing a trick?
By making the 991 GT3 PDK only, are they missing out on an opportunity where people might buy GT3's because they are manual and therefore a 'better (read more involving) drivers car'?
Sure the 991 GT3 will go round the 'ring quicker, but I can get round quicker on the Xbox than in a car and I'm not sure flappy paddles will get me to the supermarket any quicker......is removing some of a cars controls (i.e. clutch etc) spoiling cars for those of us that want an involving drive, want to blip throttles ourselves on the downshifts etc?
Are we heading for an 'iRobot' world where all we do us sit there and get driven round?
By making it PDK only will they actually reduce the market for these things - did people actually buy them BECAUSE they were manual in a market dominated by no choice, flappy paddle cars - is there is an argument to say that the 997.2 GT3 was the last true drivers sportscar?
On behalf of the Luddites.....
By making the 991 GT3 PDK only, are they missing out on an opportunity where people might buy GT3's because they are manual and therefore a 'better (read more involving) drivers car'?
Sure the 991 GT3 will go round the 'ring quicker, but I can get round quicker on the Xbox than in a car and I'm not sure flappy paddles will get me to the supermarket any quicker......is removing some of a cars controls (i.e. clutch etc) spoiling cars for those of us that want an involving drive, want to blip throttles ourselves on the downshifts etc?
Are we heading for an 'iRobot' world where all we do us sit there and get driven round?
By making it PDK only will they actually reduce the market for these things - did people actually buy them BECAUSE they were manual in a market dominated by no choice, flappy paddle cars - is there is an argument to say that the 997.2 GT3 was the last true drivers sportscar?
On behalf of the Luddites.....
Yep I'm not a fan of flappy paddles. Have tried it in a Porsche and Ferrari.
The seemless acceleration is quicker yes, but it doesn't feel natural, I like that split second pause you get with a manual before being pinned back in your seat.
Then there's the downchanges and everything else. I just love driving manual cars.
Pdk etc all feel brutal on the box too. I know they mustn't be as you don't hear of many/any failures but it's just bang, bang, bang through the gears.
I'll always be a manual fan. If that makes me a simpleton who refuses to change with the times, so be it.
The seemless acceleration is quicker yes, but it doesn't feel natural, I like that split second pause you get with a manual before being pinned back in your seat.
Then there's the downchanges and everything else. I just love driving manual cars.
Pdk etc all feel brutal on the box too. I know they mustn't be as you don't hear of many/any failures but it's just bang, bang, bang through the gears.
I'll always be a manual fan. If that makes me a simpleton who refuses to change with the times, so be it.
Embrace the future. The latest PDK systems are very clever, and need not detatch the driver involvement.
To enjoy the mechanical interaction between driver and car, any real enthusiast should have a proper little 'old school' 911 in the garage - 2.2, 2.4, 3.2, 964, 993 .....
The latest models - 997 Turbo S, 991 C4S, 991 GT3 are uber efficient transcontinental GTs - and that's not a crticism
To enjoy the mechanical interaction between driver and car, any real enthusiast should have a proper little 'old school' 911 in the garage - 2.2, 2.4, 3.2, 964, 993 .....
The latest models - 997 Turbo S, 991 C4S, 991 GT3 are uber efficient transcontinental GTs - and that's not a crticism
I believe that the answer to all of your questions is generally yes.
But, by effectively widening the market for the car, they will sell a LOT more of them.
In some ways, they have no choice, as its all about the numbers game, especially those relating to the ring.
My view is that they should offer both boxes. I can't think of a reason why they shouldn't.
But, by effectively widening the market for the car, they will sell a LOT more of them.
In some ways, they have no choice, as its all about the numbers game, especially those relating to the ring.
My view is that they should offer both boxes. I can't think of a reason why they shouldn't.
..The problem with making a car idiot proof to drive, is that loads more of them will buy them.. and business is about sales volume, not pandering to the ludite minority..
I went out in my mates 458 recently, and altho I'm no flappy paddle fan, I can see why manfucturers are going down this DSG route, they will sell a few to some women too, the manual clutch on a GT3 is hard work, and you can kiss goodbye to plenty of sales purely on that basis..
I went out in my mates 458 recently, and altho I'm no flappy paddle fan, I can see why manfucturers are going down this DSG route, they will sell a few to some women too, the manual clutch on a GT3 is hard work, and you can kiss goodbye to plenty of sales purely on that basis..
I don't honestly think for a moment that Porsche are concerned about whether the GT3 version of the 911 will sell. That it's the halo model for an iconic model built in very limited numbers is plenty.
Historically they've actually been very very good value for money and there's some scope for massaging the price northwards.
PDK is the future and the time has come for this icon to embrace it.
Very little to do with shifting units.
Historically they've actually been very very good value for money and there's some scope for massaging the price northwards.
PDK is the future and the time has come for this icon to embrace it.
Very little to do with shifting units.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
The point I was making is that the GT3 sells in pretty limited numbers and I don't think thats changing. We're talking 1500 GT3s and a similar number of RS's worldwide. Porsche could sell double that if they really wanted , maybe more.It may well be about margins though I accept. Up until now they've been a halo car that allows homologation into GT racing and forms the basis for single make series.That's the main purpose not making money.
Use of more modern tech allows the cars to acheive not just better Ring times but more acceptable efficiency ratings and, of course, costs a lots less to make.
Helicopter123 said:
I've always thought of he GT3 as a hardcore track weapon that can be driven on the road.
On that basis, PDK is quicker, end of.
Not much Italian exotica now available with a manual gearbox and it's not an issue for them so why hang Porsche for giving on to progress?
It depends on what specific progress you are talking about. Ultimate lap time at any cost? Or driving pleasure?On that basis, PDK is quicker, end of.
Not much Italian exotica now available with a manual gearbox and it's not an issue for them so why hang Porsche for giving on to progress?
Not the same thing.
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