End of an era: 991 GT3 only available with PDK - no more manual

[techweenie]

Hard to believe.

Volvo C30 Killed, 2013 Porsche GT3 Details, Cadillac ELR, & Two New VW Crossovers! - YouTube

[twistoffat]

They will all go this way. Apart from the PDK being heavier it shifts quicker and smoother than any manual. It was inevitable that this has started to happen. Personally I´d miss the driver involvement but the PDK is pretty amazing.

[Wiese]

I think it is regretful to not have at least the option of a manual anymore. But the writing was on the wall when the 991 was introduced, since the 7 speed manual is based on the PDK. So Porsche was not committed to develop a separate manual transmission for it (whether 6 or 7 speed).

Of course, now that the PDK is becoming the de facto standard it is a nice few extra grand added to the bottom line of every Porsche sold with it.

Makes those clunky 915s in my cars all the more precious :-)

[techweenie]

There was an uproar when BMW announced something similar. I just find it hard to swallow that Porsche would go this way. Maybe we're seeing the VW decision-making process here.

Remarkable that the GT3 lost 88 lbs even with the addition of PDK.

[Lukesportsman]

F-cars did it, so figured it was coming. BMW's first attempt was less than delightful, and they only built manuals supposedly for Americans, oddly and at that it was a last gen trans. I guess I'm glad Porsche isn't making such a lame attempt in just throwing an older spec manual with inappropriate gear spacing in a car: just for the sake of it.

GT3 does have GT in its title and I guess now there is no need to bring back the 928 as its getting as big ( thankfully lighter).

Well, dradst.....I'll just have to drive the 72' another year with its proper manual

[techweenie]

Quel dommage.

;-)

[Doug&Julie]

Originally Posted by Lukesportsman

F-cars did it, so figured it was coming...

This. It's the way of the modern high ultra performance car.

Plus...does anybody else find a seven speed manual a bit...er, rediculuous? How many gates is too many on a manual?

..maybe it's just me.

[hbueno]

Sad indeed.

What'll happen to the wackos like me who enjoy the quest for perfect double-clutch downshifts? Not that it's an issue for me. I won't be able to afford a 2012 Porsche until about 30 years from now.

Hugo

[McLaren-TAG]

Maybe in a generation or two, they won't be able to steal old Porsches because none of the thieves will know how to drive a stick?

[Jim Richards]

Stick shifts will disappear. Hell, gasoline engines will eventually disappear, too.

[KNS]

Originally Posted by McLaren-TAG

Maybe in a generation or two, they won't be able to steal old Porsches because none of the thieves will know how to drive a stick?

I've heard of more than one car-jacking attempt where the would be thief walked away from the car because he couldn't drive a manual.

Shame to see the manual trans go away - I wonder how long the regular 991 will have it?

[SiberianDVM]

In 20 years, people will no longer drive cars: they will use their smartphone to summon a box on wheels and tell it where they want to go, get in, and most likely never take their eyes off the smartphone.

The competing brands of boxes on wheels will be Microsoft and Google. Maybe Apple for the sporty crowd.

Our Porsches will be banned from the public roads as unsafe. If we are lucky, we may still be able to drive them on the track.

[Matt Monson]

The aftermarket will always support what the people want...

Plus I'm not convinced there won't be an RS version in a year or two with a 4.0l engine and a manual gearbox. Note how the talk show guy said 3.8l but the pictures he was showing showed a 4.0l airbox?

Regards,

Matt Monson
Guard Transmission LLC

[Trog]

Well that settles that! I won't be buying one!!

[nineball]

don't knock it til you try it. the pdk is f'n amazing!

[Bill Verburg]

Hope it's a beefed up version, of 3 PDK Caymans that I know of at WGI the last couple of days 2 had transmission issues, 1 didn't even make it through a single run.

[tirwin]

In 20 years, people will no longer drive cars: they will use their smartphone to summon a box on wheels and tell it where they want to go, get in, and most likely never take their eyes off the smartphone.



The competing brands of boxes on wheels will be Microsoft and Google. Maybe Apple for the sporty crowd.



Our Porsches will be banned from the public roads as unsafe. If we are lucky, we may still be able to drive them on the track.

Tracking will only be allowed if you pay the super expensive sin tax.

[oh snap]

Anyone know if or how homologation requirements will factor in? Does Porsche have a racing version of the PDK?

[tazzieman]

Originally Posted by SiberianDVM

In 20 years, ..
Our Porsches will be banned from the public roads as unsafe. .

Au contraire , says Mad Max

[Pasophisto]

there are no manual transmission Ferraris any more.