Transmission
Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK)
Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) is part of Porsche motorsport history. In 1986 and 1987, the Porsche 962 secured overall victories in Le Mans – with the Doppelkupplung dual-clutch transmission that had undergone continuous development since the 1960s. The rapid gear changes added up to seconds and, over the course of 24-hour races, to minutes that would ultimately lead to era-defining victories.
Today, PDK is continuing to set standards – this time in series production. With gear changes that take place in milliseconds and with no interruption in the flow of power – for faster acceleration and moderate fuel consumption.
But it gets even better. In the 911 GT3, PDK boasts an even sportier setup – with the short gear ratios specific to the 911 GT3 and the crisp, short movements of the gearshift paddles.
The racing feel is down to seven performance-oriented gears, where even 7th gear has a sports ratio engineered for maximum speed. Manual operation of the gear selector is based on the established motorsport principle: back to shift up, forward to shift down.
This is how it works. PDK is essentially two gearboxes in one and thus requires two clutches. This double-clutch arrangement provides an alternating, non-positive connection between the two half gearboxes and the engine by means of two separate input shafts. During a gear change, therefore, one clutch simply opens and the other closes at the same time, enabling gear changes to take place within milliseconds.
All that has consequences, not least for acceleration, for overall performance and for fuel economy. Driving feels even more dynamic and agility is increased.
What about the gear changes themselves? You’ll feel them and you’ll hear them. The electronic transmission control logic of the Intelligent Shift Program (ISP) offers more immediate and faster traction-induced upshifts and downshifts on overrun. In PDK SPORT mode, downshifts under braking are more aggressive while, under acceleration, the shift points are raised even further. So changing up a gear becomes a physical experience – and an emotive one.
6-speed GT sports manual transmission
In all honesty, we can’t promise you a particularly great deal at this point. Apart from a whole lot of effort, sweat, aching muscles and tears. Tears of joy, that is, because the optional 6-speed GT sports manual transmission brings pure, handson pleasure back to the cockpit.
Six performance-oriented gears are available for you to select, with every single bite of the clutch also accompanied by a surge of adrenaline.
Your job: hand and leg work. Lots of it. The shift throw? Extremely short. Every gear change? Exceedingly precise.
With the 6-speed GT sports manual transmission, the focus is not on every tenth of a second, but on unconditional driving pleasure and unfiltered emotion.
By the by, the 911 GT3 with manual transmission including dual-mass flywheel and mechanically locking rear differential saves approximately 17 kg.
What does this mean for you? Unfiltered driving pleasure. On twisting roads as well as on the racetrack. In a thoroughbred sports car that will move you to tears of joy, time and time again.
The dynamic throttle-blip function gives your emotions no respite. And the sound will be music to your ears. No matter which gear you’re in.