Drove 997 S with PDK

[PeterC4]

Took a test drive in a C2S with the PDK transmission and sport chrono. Fantastic is the only way to describe it. If felt very, very fast. In manual mode the gears will hold until you change them. It is the fastest shifting car I've ever driven and the best accelerating car I've ever driven with the benefit of having an automatic in heavy traffic. Very good ride characteristics too. The PDK makes me question the benefits of a manual in these cars.

Edited October 5, 2008 by PeterC4

[White987S]

What is downshifting like?

That is a +$4,000 option.

[Nick_USA]

The benefits of a manual car include:

You don't feel that emotion of being in control as you do with a stick

You don't get requests from guys who can't drive a 'stick' to drive your car :)

Edited October 12, 2008 by Nick_USA

[RPM]

The benefits of a manual car include:

You don't feel that emotion of being in control as you do with a stick

You don't get requests from guys can't drive a 'stick' to drive your car :)

Well said! :clapping:

[355bhp]

The benefits of a manual car include:

You don't feel that emotion of being in control as you do with a stick

You don't get requests from guys who can't drive a 'stick' to drive your car :)

And being able to "inadvertantly" grab your honey's knee.

Edited October 21, 2008 by 123taxi

[Topless]

Took a test drive in a C2S with the PDK transmission and sport chrono. Fantastic is the only way to describe it. If felt very, very fast. In manual mode the gears will hold until you change them. It is the fastest shifting car I've ever driven and the best accelerating car I've ever driven with the benefit of having an automatic in heavy traffic. Very good ride characteristics too. The PDK makes me question the benefits of a manual in these cars.

A showroom stock PDK Carrera on comp tires took TTD at Streets of Willow against some well driven, well prepared race cars, GT3's, Lambo's etc. Scary fast!

The trouble with slush-o-matics of the past is that while performance driving they always seemed to be in the wrong gear. I have no love for rowing gears but I do appreciate being in the right one in any given circumstance. A no compromise AT that always seems to be in the right gear is very interesting indeed.

[Scotto]

I drove a 4S, it took a while before my left foot on longer wanted to push in the clutch. It still is allot like an automatic with 8 speeds. I wounder how long that will last before it needs repair. They say for the life of the car, and I think I have heard that before also. It was allot of fun, and you can't over rev on a downshift, but I think I'll stick with a stick for a while. :D

[turbomandon]

Drove a PDK recently when Turbo was in for some maintenance work.

Sales Mgr drove first,, seemed cool

he stopped on a dead ended street

pushed a few bottons, launch control,, hit the brake,, then the gas til the RPMs got to 6,500

and let go of the brake..

OMG,,,,,,,,,,, amazing catapulting ,,, all the power to the back wheels.

I got light headed,, thats how much force there was.

It would beat the TT til 40 mph i am sure.

I was super impressed by this feature BUT, its a gimick and you dont stop in the middle of the track or a road to do this on a regular basis,, BUT,, for the first few days it is a novelty to have such a powerful take off

I hope the next generation of Turbos have the PDK,, never have driven an automatic but may consider.

Don

[PeterC4]

What is downshifting like?

That is a +$4,000 option.

Downshifting is very fast. To me, the option cost is worth it. And launch control literally "launches" you up to speed. It is really something.

[RFM]

You need Sport Chrono + to have the launch control option.

[Topless]

Here is the inside scoop on the PDK from Jay Leno. Amazing technology:

http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/video_...html?vid=820021

[laalves]

Went to a Porsche Driving Experience promoted by the local Porsche Driving School. Tracked a buch of 911s with PDK and Caymans.

Amazing thing the PDK, even driving in full auto mode around the track.

I must say what I enjoyed more was the 480 Turbo (I have a 996 420), what a fantastic machine. If I had the guts to pay for a new set of tires, I'd love to track mine and check it out. Still it is better to track somebody elses's money :D

[MelsM3]

I put 90 miles on a launch 911 C2S/PDK and it was GREAT!

I left it in sport mode the entire time .

Next time, I'll know better.

I plan on ordering my next 911 with PDK.

[tallers]

I had an 02 BMW M3 with SMG as my daily commuter. I loved the SMG. As a regular daily ride it allowed me to enjoy a cup of coffe during long commutes. However, for my weekend 911 4S cabrio, a stick is what I decided on.

[Scbrindley]

I have a '09 Carrera S PDK in the garage right now and let me tell you that it is truly amazing. I have never driven a car this fast. When you hit the "sport plus" button it turns into a great ride. Downshifts are lightning fast....there is no way anybody can shift a car this fast/smooth. I have always had cars with manual transmissions and was hesitant to get a car without one, but I have NO regrets....PDK blows the manual away. I'm new to the forums...I'll get some pictures of the car soon; it's a coupe in Aqua Blue with blue interior.

SB

Edited January 10, 2009 by Scbrindley

[Sharptt]

I was recently given the keys to an 09 C4S cab with PDK while my GT3 was being serviced. In the normal mode I was frustrated by the cars desire to go into 6th gear at absurdly low speeds. But in the sport mode the car was transformed and quite impressive. If I drove in traffic frequently or I needed to have the wife drive the 911 at times, I wouldn't hesitate to order PDK. It's that good. But I still prefer the satisfaction of shifting for myself. Rowing through the gears in a GT3 is a joy!If it was raw speed that counted I'd buy a GT-R (and try not to look at it too much). :D

[SKYKING]

A showroom stock PDK Carrera on comp tires took TTD at Streets of Willow against some well driven, well prepared race cars, GT3's, Lambo's etc. Scary fast!

What is "TTD" ?

[Topless]

A showroom stock PDK Carrera on comp tires took TTD at Streets of Willow against some well driven, well prepared race cars, GT3's, Lambo's etc. Scary fast!

What is "TTD" ?

TTD= Top Time of the Day. A significant achievement when you are rolling with GT3RS, 997TT, Fully prepared 993TT race cars, Lambo Gallardo etc.

[mystarzk]

There are satisfaction to be had with both transmissions and PDK is a good compromise between technology and sporting feel.

Sequential gear shift has been used in racing for almost 2 decades and I am just amazed that it took this long for this technology to become available.

[RFM]

Sequential racing gearboxes are, and works, complete different than PDK. The only equation is sequential shifting, but the Tiptronic do the same and is, again another different system. The currently used PDK is even not able to manage the high torque of the Turbo.

[Mike in CA]

I test drove a 2009 Carrera S with PDK and ordered one for Tourist Delivery in June. I don't mean to knock people who buy automatics as I know they have their place, but personally I wouldn't have been caught dead with an auto in any of my 3 previous Porsches. But the PDK is a game changer, IMHO. Sure, I may miss the fun of a well executed rev-matched downshift, but the PDK equipped car has it's own unique fun factor too, and is quicker and more efficient than a 6sp manual. Superior performance was always the main reason I owned a manual transmission car, and it's why I ordered the PDK.

[PeterC4]

One of the neat things about the PDK is that it "Blips" the throttle when you downshift. I was in the showroom yesterday. Coming close, very close to ordering a CS or C4S with PDK. With 385 hp in the S/4S it will be a quick car. But what is just as important to me is that these cars come with some creature comforts that I use when travelling like Bluetooth connectivity for handsfree driving.

[renos]

Sequential racing gearboxes are, and works, complete different than PDK. The only equation is sequential shifting, but the Tiptronic do the same and is, again another different system. The currently used PDK is even not able to manage the high torque of the Turbo.

The Panamera Turbo PDK will handle the 700Nm! Not enough?

Honestly after driving my new car with PDK (my first car without a clutch pedal) I will never go back to manual. It is a win-win situation on all grounds, but make sure you order the Sport Chrono Plus to get all 3 PDK modes instead of just 1.

[mstams]

Sport Chrono is a definite must-have with PDK.

[PeterC4]

I'm going to get a PDK car from a local dealer for a weekend test drive. This will give me a good idea of what this car is all about.