- Porsche is evaluating manual and PDK transmissions for the new GT3.
- Only one transmission will eventually be offered for sale.
- The GT3 will debut in 2013.
STUTTGART, Germany — Porsche is evaluating a PDK gearbox for the next-generation GT3, due next year. August Achleitner, the 911 project chief, confirmed that Porsche's motorsport division is currently testing both manual and PDK versions of the new GT3. Only one transmission will ultimately be offered for sale, and Achleitner reckons the PDK is the favorite to get the nod.
Stick-shift 911s currently account for just 30 percent of sales. "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. A PDK-equipped GT3 would be the next logical step.
Achleitner also confirmed that the next-generation GT3 and GT2 will definitely feature a variant of the electromechanical steering system introduced on the new Carrera. He defended the system, which has been criticized for offering less driver feedback than a traditional hydraulic setup. "The new system only removes the feedback you don't need," he said. "All our race drivers prefer it."
Inside Line says: A PDK-equipped GT3 will be faster, but will it be more fun?
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sportyaccordy says:
05:15 PM, 03/07/2012
I would love to know how many of you folks have driven something like a GT-R or 458 Italia at its limit. I'm so tired of the automotive internet.
haracing says:
06:48 PM, 02/28/2012
Did someone mention the 915?? That box didn't last 3 weekends under race conditions. The G50 was evolutionary with regard to reliability. The PDK in a race car? Bring it on. Please. The closer Porsche can get to making their track cars behave like my shifter kart the better. With the ability to really balance brake and throttle you'll be able to toss a car into any corner with almost reckless abandon. It's not going to be a less involved experience. Believe me. You'll make up the loss of clutch activity with other things, like left foot braking to help steer...everywhere...always. And you'll go faster. A lot faster.
jmacz says:
02:49 PM, 02/20/2012
PDK is simply Porsche's attempt to pull in more of the 'gold chain' crowd who never learned how to or can't shift a manual transmission reliably, i.e. without blowing up the engine.
I've driven several PDK Porsches and they're OK but the manual keeps you more involved. I was thinking of trading in my 996 Turbo when the new GT3 becomes available, but now I'm rethinking my next move.
I really wish that Porsche would bring back the 914/6. A new car without all the electronic nannies that you could work on without involving the dealership and their $100/hr labor rate. With just ABS it would be perfect.
disa says:
08:34 AM, 02/20/2012
If not this generation, definitely the next.
It would make the GT3 available to much bigger audience in Porsche's biggest selling market (the US), resulting in higher sales.
The performance numbers would be even higher.
Most people who can afford a GT3 are older and would prefer the capabilities of the car to be more accessible to them.
The only argument against is the "purist" argument, which I think trumps all the others, but it won't trump sales figures...
bimmerd says:
04:30 PM, 02/17/2012
Can I give this zero stars...? Seriously...
Is this a sign of things-to-come now that Porsche is under VW/Audi management...?
Achleitner: "The new [steering] system only removes the feedback you don't need," he said. "All our race drivers prefer it."
Whatever. Sounds like Audi-speak for, "We don't know what steering feel is, sorry." Or, if you prefer, "Go fast. Enjoy later." Fine for winning races, but not so great for actually having fun. Oh well, that's why those of us that love three-pedal car can all just buy used instead!
93eg6 says:
08:57 AM, 02/16/2012
I blame death of the Manual on the Nissan GTR.
I think it spurred competing automakers to offer similar tech, chasing numbers NOT fun. Lame.
carma_dog says:
04:53 PM, 02/14/2012
With really high horsepower to weight ratio and great brakes, especially with the increased traction associated with downforce, the time required to shift becomes a significant percentage of the time spent accelerating, braking, etc. For top performance the clutch pedal and H patterns are out. Left foot braking is in. Consider that 180mph is 264 feet per second. Left foot braking saves ~ 1/3 of a second - that is 88 feet! The clutch pedal will soon be a relic. Every top form of road racing has cars that are shifted without clutching. Heel and toe skills are a joke with cars that slow at a 4-5g rate. I have to question why a "real enthusiast" would insist on dinosaur technology. I think it must really mean "vintage enthusiast". A true speed enthusiast hates to be slow!
compressor says:
01:22 PM, 02/14/2012
rsrgallon,
I do agree many current manual trans offerings are horrbile and not enjoyable. But it doesn't mean they suck because they are drive by wire or are damped. Just like electrically boosted steering, it is all in the design and how well it is tuned. Many do it well.
I also don't disagree with your prediction (well expect the drum brakes - there is no real feel/advantage to them over disks on a road car).
Ultimately, I think one needs to sit back and decide when have we reached the point of dimnishing gains and when outright performance becomes the goal over driver enjoyment. Will a PDK GT3 be unenjoyable? No, I don't think anyone would honestly say that. Could a light, modern back to basics sports car with approachable limits be more enjoyable, perhaps. And on the street, this is all that really matters. On the track, completely different argument.
rsrgallon says:
11:54 AM, 02/14/2012
Compressor,
Sorry for the dumb argument. I actually do think manual timing advance could be rather fun on somehting obviously short of a track car. It's my opinion; but then again I like crash gears, and don't mind cable clutches. I will concede that neither is overly practical. But as you point out, being practical isn't everything.
As far as the computer steering, I would say that the new Porsche products are coming closer to making an argument against you.
Given the option I would choose a modern chassis/suspension with completely mechanical controls (throttle linkage, transmission, steering, non ABS, no traction control etc). This is pretty much unavailable by modern standards. As I reiterate; I find modern manuals to be clumsy and bordering on gimmicky. I prefer to call a spade a spade. If I'm swimming in driver's aids, you might as well throw in the PDK and reduce the shift time. Some may enjoy "going through the motions" with three pedals, but that doesn't change that it will most likely be a lost art in the next 15 years. Even the GT3 cup cars use a sequential transmission that operates more like a shifter kart than a Boxster. Some contemporary race drivers are not at home with fully manual race transmissions: see 2011 Excellence article with George Follmer and Johannes van Overbeek regarding Porsche 935s.
I still stand by my prediction that in the future asking for a manual transmission will be more akin to asking for manual timing, or non power brakes, or drum brakes.
compressor says:
11:21 AM, 02/14/2012
Kids - Read my previous post. It shows why you proofread.
Hopefully people can still understand it. Apologies.