Motorweek Tests New 911 GT3, And It’s A Manual!
Porsche enthusiasts decried the previous 911 GT3 for being PDK. Porsche listened and now the manual transmission is back.
As transmission technology increases, manual transmissions are becoming increasingly irrelevant. We may not like it, but it’s an absolute truth. They are faster, generally allow for more gears, and in some cases are stronger and more reliable. Porsche forged this path with the PDK transmission, and they felt so confident in it, that it was the only gearbox on offer in the flagship 911 GT3.
Porsche has a bit of a problem, however. It stems from the fact their 6-speed manual transmission is simply sublime to use. If Porsche was confident in the PDK, they certainly were confident in the 6-speed, having placed it in the 911 R.
The PDK-only 911 GT3 didn’t exactly leave a lasting impression with enthusiasts, who still wanted to row their own gears. Porsche has done the right thing, and brought it back for the newest GT3.
Displacing an extra 200cc, the 4.0 flat-six engine now makes an even 500 horsepower. Mated with that 6-speed transmission, it provides Porsche’s visceral howl. While the transmission may be old-school, the rest of the car certainly isn’t. Four-wheel-steering accompanies a healthy dose of carbon fiber, and keeps weight under 3,200 lbs. As usual, only the rear wheels are driven, keeping the driving experience as pure as ever.
