Tag: PDK

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Accessories & Tech News

Long live the manual gearbox!

Subaru BRZ

It’s a fact of the modern automotive world that the manual gearbox is fast becoming the poor cousin of the double-clutch transmission.

Lamborghini has put a cross through the manual box and worse, the purist’s supercar—the Porsche 911 GT3—is available exclusively with PDK. The same is happening at the cheaper end of the market, too. Even the model name of the new Clio RS 200 EDC (efficient double clutch) tells us there’s no manual here.

The end is nigh.

Steve Sutcliffe from Autocar has taken a look into this phenomenon and found that, in the UK at least, the manual ‘box still lives large. A whopping 75% of all new cars sold in the UK last year was fitted with a “proper” transmission. Unsurprisingly, the US is in complete contrast with just 7% of new cars having a manual. We expect Australia is somewhere in the middle, with slushboxes and dual-clutch transmissions forming an overwhelming majority.

Autocar went to the manufacturers seeking answers and while mostly predictable, to do with gear change efficiency and fuel economy, here’s a couple of the more intriguing replies (use the source link below to check out the article in full)…

Ferrari chief of engineering, Roberto Fedeli: “Greater integration with all the vehicle’s other electronic control systems – E-diff, F1-Trac, high-performance ABS, magnetorheological suspension – allowed by the DCT has given us even more advantages, not least the ability to build a car that is supremely agile yet controllable on the limit, as well as being more frugal.”

Porsche head of GT car development, Andreas Preuninger: “The ‘simply add lightness’ philosophy to make a car faster, especially the past three GT3 generations, just does not apply any more. Nowadays, systems that add extra speed over-compensate their extra weight very clearly. Purism and performance are no longer inextricably linked. Indeed, they turn more and more into opposites today.

“It’s also vital to note that we built a 991 GT3 with a manual gearbox and ran it during development alongside prototypes with the PDK – and in all cases, both emotionally and empirically, the PDK came out on top. And that’s why we built the car this way.”

Whatever the future holds, we’ll always prefer changing gears by ourselves, no matter how much slower it might be.

[Source: Autocar]

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Porsche

991 Porsche 911 GT3 – Australian pricing

991 Porsche 911 GT3

Word has come through to AUSmotive that when the totally lustful new Porsche 911 GT3 goes on sale in Australia later this year it will carry a list price of $294,000. That price includes the front-axle lift system, which we understand will be standard equipment for the local market.

Compared with the old 997.2 911 GT3 (6-speed manual) the price has increased by $17,800, up from $276,200. This has been partially offset by the inclusion of the lift kit, which was previously an option, and the fact the new GT3 is PDK-only.

We only wish our informant was as good at predicting Tattslotto numbers.

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Porsche Video

VIDEO: Chris Harris drives the 991 GT3

991 Porsche 911 GT3

“The steering is superb… I just feel more connected.”

“Comfortably the best PDK that Porsche has ever made.”

They’re two comments worth taking away from Chris Harris’ exclusive review of the new Porsche 911 GT3. It’s worth noting that this is not a final production-spec car, but with almost 20,000km showing on the dials it is a GT3 that’s been worked hard over its very short life.

Electronic steering and the lack of a manual gearbox are two of things lounge room experts are lamenting about the latest version of the iconic GT3. Harris touches on both with his usual candour. He also covers what is lost or gained with the new 9A1-based 3.8 litre engine over the much-loved Metzger from previous generations.

You’ll enjoy this review, at least you should! And thanks, as always, to Drive for making their content so accessible.

Continue reading “VIDEO: Chris Harris drives the 991 GT3”
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Motor Shows Porsche

Geneva 2013: Porsche 911 GT3 revealed

991 Porsche 911 GT3

It just looks perfect.

From every angle the new 991 Porsche 911 GT3 has a purposeful stance that just looks right. Simply by looking at the new GT3 it begs you to drive it.

On to the official stats for the latest 911 GT3. It has a tidy 350kW (475hp) at 8250rpm and 440Nm of torque at 6250rpm on tap from its new DFI 3.8 litre flat-six cylinder engine. That’s 15hp more than the new 911 GT3 Cup, which uses the old Mezger engine. The new GT3 sees off 100km/h in 3.5 seconds and 200km/h will be gone in under 12 seconds. It has a top speed of 315km/h.

The rear axle is 44mm wider than the 991 Carrera S. The conrods are titanium and forged pistons, just a couple of the measures that allow the 3.8 litre to rev to 9000rpm. The new 20″ wheels are made from forged alloy. The unladen weight of the GT3 is 1430kg.

As predicted there’s an active rear-wheel steering system. At speeds below 50km/h the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels, but above 80km/h the rear wheel steer in parallel to the fronts. The result, Porsche says, is a more agile and dynamic GT3.

Of course, the elephant in the room is the PDK-only transmission. The GT3 specific 7-speed box, we’re told by Andreas Preuninger (more on that here), is lightning fast—changes take less than 100 milliseconds—and more involving than a manual. There was much debate at Porsche over the merits of PDK versus manual transmission and the move to PDK wasn’t taken lightly.

For those keeping score the 2013 911 GT3 can lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes 30 seconds.

There’s more pics below with a couple of videos along the way as well. Also available is Porsche’s full Geneva Motor Show Press kit which has lost more detail on everyone’s favourite 911. Today is a very good day!

UPDATE: We can confirm the 991 911 GT3 will go on sale in Australia towards the end of this year. Pricing to be announced closer to launch.

Continue reading “Geneva 2013: Porsche 911 GT3 revealed”
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Porsche

PDK only for next Porsche 911 GT3?

991 Porsche 911 GT3 prototype

This, we are told, is a prototype for the next Porsche 911 GT3. Certainly the centre-mount exhaust tips would indicate this to be the case. One would expect Porsche will keep a more purposeful rear wing on the balls-out GT3, so we can also surmise the GT3 is still early in its development.

Apparently the 991 GT3 will be offered with one transmission option only, just like the near-perfect 997 model. Whereas the old model was 6-speed manual only, we can safely predict the new model will have seven gears. The only question remaining is, will it be an adaptation of the 7-speed manual from the Carrera or a double-clutch PDK?

Porsche, don’t do it. Please! It has to be a manual.

[Source: Autoblog | Pic: CarPix]

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Motor Shows Porsche

LA 2010: Porsche Cayman R

Porsche Cayman R

As promised Porsche has revealed a new lightweight Cayman model at the Los Angeles Auto Show. As expected the car is badged as the Cayman R.

Porsche didn’t really offer up any surprises either, which means the Cayman is a bit lighter, has a bit more power and will cost a few more beans, as well. Peak power from the mid-mounted 3.4 litre flat six is 243kW (330bhp). Weight has been reduced by 55kg to a new unladen total of 1295kg. The ride height, too, has been lowered by 20mm.

Buyers can pick from a 6-speed manual, or a 7-speed PDK. Porsche reckon you can reach 100km/h in 5.0 seconds with the manual, or 4.9 seconds with the PDK. The optional Sport Chrono Plus package reduces the 100km/h sprint time further to 4.7 seconds. Top speed is around 280km/h.

Now, onto the use of the R badge. Keen Porsche scholars will remember the 1967 911 R. Just 19 were made with 210bhp powering a super lightweight 830kg body. The R stood for Racing (or Rennen in German). Since then the R badge has been used very rarely by Porsche and when it has been used it’s mainly been for true race cars, such as the GT3 R. Purists might not be happy that a Cayman with a mere 10bhp more than a Cayman S and a respectable, but not spectacular, 55kg weight difference has been granted such special status. Quasi-celebrity motoring journalist Chris Harris is not pleased.

You’ve got video, pics and Porsche’s press release available after the break to help you decide if Porsche has used the R appropriately.

Continue reading “LA 2010: Porsche Cayman R”