Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 8:02 am Post subject: Rumour that next 991 GT3 may only have PDK Gearbox
The Latest News:
~ 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 favourite to get the nod.
Gear-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,". 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."
Changing gear is part of the driving experience. _________________
Roro Long Beach
Joined: 01 Oct 2010 Posts: 6042
Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 7:30 pm Post subject:
My initial thoughts on possible pros and cons of a PDK GT3 -
Pros
-----
1. Faster than equivalent manual
2. Easier to drive
3. Previous (pre-PDK) generations of GT3 may become more desirable (surely a good thing for Porsche as well as owners of these models)
4. Proves Porsche is keeping up with the times
Cons
-----
1. "Less fun" *
2. More expensive? (to buy and repair)
3. Relatively unproven - potential reliability issues?
4. Heavier than manual?
5. Enthusiast revolt and short-term adverse publicity **
* I don't think it will be less fun personally, but a lot of people are saying this - the PDK 991S is a complete blast I can only imagine a GT3 version would be suitably insane - Warp Speed 10
** I can't see this as a huge concern for Porsche, they've made so many changes to the 911 over the years to keep the car relevant and on top, giving the GT3 a PDK 'box is probably just seen as a simple logical progression
For what it's worth, I'd take a 991 GT3 in PDK form - the 991S PDK I drove has swung it for me and convinced me PDK is the way forward.
My initial thoughts on possible pros and cons of a PDK GT3 -
Pros
-----
1. Faster than equivalent manual
2. Easier to drive
3. Previous (pre-PDK) generations of GT3 may become more desirable (surely a good thing for Porsche as well as owners of these models)
4. Proves Porsche is keeping up with the times
Cons
-----
1. "Less fun" *
2. More expensive? (to buy and repair)
3. Relatively unproven - potential reliability issues?
4. Heavier than manual?
5. Enthusiast revolt and short-term adverse publicity **
* I don't think it will be less fun personally, but a lot of people are saying this - the PDK 991S is a complete blast I can only imagine a GT3 version would be suitably insane - Warp Speed 10
** I can't see this as a huge concern for Porsche, they've made so many changes to the 911 over the years to keep the car relevant and on top, giving the GT3 a PDK 'box is probably just seen as a simple logical progression
For what it's worth, I'd take a 991 GT3 in PDK form - the 991S PDK I drove has swung it for me and convinced me PDK is the way forward.
..Pretty good evaluation _________________ 981 Cayman GT4 Club Sport
991 GT3 RS 2016
997 GT3 RS gen 2 2010
997 GT3 gen 2 2010
997 carrera 4s cab, power kit
993 carrera 4 cab
964 carrera 4 cab
911 carrera
911 sc sport
911 sc sport targa
917k Indianapolis
Joined: 02 Jun 2003 Posts: 2478 Location: Bromley, kent
I've long wanted a car with a flappy paddle box and bought an E60 M5 in December.
Its ok and fun to an extent but I'm very happy my GT3 is manual
Regards
Fred
From four years living with an M3 SMG it is okay, but PDK is at a completely different level.
And not that I'll be able to afford one until I'm too decrepit to use it, but come 2013 I will be lusting after a GT3 with PDK _________________ Porsche Macan S Diesel
BMW i3 - the electric car for petrolheads
Cobalt Blue 997 Turbo (sold)
997 C2S (sold)
Will it do a little accelerator blip when shifting down gears? That would be nice If the PDK box can be told to do what the driver wants, then that solution would be OK with me. Let's not forget that PDK was first used in racing by Porsche. Was it in a 917? _________________ GT3 a dream to come soon true...
My initial thoughts on possible pros and cons of a PDK GT3 -
Pros
-----
1. Faster than equivalent manual
2. Easier to drive
3. Previous (pre-PDK) generations of GT3 may become more desirable (surely a good thing for Porsche as well as owners of these models)
4. Proves Porsche is keeping up with the times
Cons
-----
1. "Less fun" *
2. More expensive? (to buy and repair)
3. Relatively unproven - potential reliability issues?
4. Heavier than manual?
5. Enthusiast revolt and short-term adverse publicity **
* I don't think it will be less fun personally, but a lot of people are saying this - the PDK 991S is a complete blast I can only imagine a GT3 version would be suitably insane - Warp Speed 10
** I can't see this as a huge concern for Porsche, they've made so many changes to the 911 over the years to keep the car relevant and on top, giving the GT3 a PDK 'box is probably just seen as a simple logical progression
For what it's worth, I'd take a 991 GT3 in PDK form - the 991S PDK I drove has swung it for me and convinced me PDK is the way forward.
..Pretty good evaluation
Agreed.
Given the level things have moved on to with the 458 and the McLaren I don't think Porsche will want to leave PDK out of the GT range, if they can only use one gearbox I think they'd be brave to make it manual.
I picked up a PDK Boxster Spyder last week and it's a real leap forward from tiptronic in terms of performance and driver involvement, I've always had manuals but from my first few days with this car I don't think I'll be rushing back to one. _________________ 997 GT2
Joined: 09 Dec 2010 Posts: 2723 Location: S. Wales
Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 5:20 pm Post subject:
DAB+ wrote:
Will it do a little accelerator blip when shifting down gears? That would be nice If the PDK box can be told to do what the driver wants, then that solution would be OK with me. Let's not forget that PDK was first used in racing by Porsche. Was it in a 917?
Will it do a little accelerator blip when shifting down gears? That would be nice If the PDK box can be told to do what the driver wants, then that solution would be OK with me. Let's not forget that PDK was first used in racing by Porsche. Was it in a 917?
Joined: 09 Dec 2010 Posts: 2723 Location: S. Wales
Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 5:49 pm Post subject:
anotherGT2 wrote:
Red993C4 wrote:
DAB+ wrote:
Will it do a little accelerator blip when shifting down gears? That would be nice If the PDK box can be told to do what the driver wants, then that solution would be OK with me. Let's not forget that PDK was first used in racing by Porsche. Was it in a 917?
Hmmm, dunno if I like the idea. If its the only choice I think I would still buy one but surely they can offer both options.
PDK boxes I have used are efficient but are still making decisions for you, if it has a pure, no fiddling with my shifts up or down mode, then could work.
Roro Long Beach
Joined: 01 Oct 2010 Posts: 6042
Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:23 pm Post subject:
I'm wondering if I've just put 2 and 2 together and got 22.
What if Porsche gave us something in between PDK and a manual, ie a sequential gearbox with a clutch like in the video? It seems to work ok in this example, it looks like a nice halfway house that would keep both the manual and PDK crowds happy.
You can use the PDK shifter like a sequential box anyway, though thankfully it looks somewhat less like a painful sex toy abomination than in the clip
Roro Long Beach
Joined: 01 Oct 2010 Posts: 6042
Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:48 pm Post subject:
chimp911 wrote:
You can use the PDK shifter like a sequential box anyway, though thankfully it looks somewhat less like a painful sex toy abomination than in the clip
I'm thinking that may be part of the attraction for us GT3 drivers
.. Or am I speaking for myself
PDK can be used like a sequential 'box, but it doesn't have a manual foot operated clutch like a manual car. The GT3 RS in the video has a clutch that the driver needs to depress in the normal way to change gear, but then the gear changes themselves are via up/down movements rather than an H-pattern manual. I like it a lot, and although I've never tried it I wonder if I'd prefer it to a PDK. Seems to offer the best of both worlds. I don't think anyone offers this in a production car though, and there's probably a good reason, not sure what though! _________________ 2007 997.1 GT3
2015 DMAX Blade
2016 Smart ForFour
The PDK box is approx 55Ibs/25Kg heavier, so unless they can come up with something else, I can't see it being fitted to a GT/RS anytime soon.
....unless of course the historical traits of GT/RS's is being thrown out the window under the new regime _________________ "The smallest feline is a masterpiece"
- Leonardo da Vinci
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