Reviews of the manual tranny?
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I cannot remember the magazine but it read something like... the 7 speed manual is slower to accelerate but once we got behind the wheel and set off, all thoughts about PDK vanished... or something like that. Cannot remember the magazine though.
Jason
Jason
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From "911 & Porsche"
"What then of that other major 991 talking point: the seven-speed manual transmission? Having tried PDK frist, and found it rather uninvolving on the initial and less entertaining of the drives, I joined the scrum to get my hands on a manual-equipped car. As ever, driving the manual somehow seems to connect you more intimately with the car, and the engine seems more responsive to your command, free of an intermediary deciding how the gears are selected. One thing you really notice is how little flywheel effect there is with this new motor - the revs zip up and down the range when the clutch is engaged, much like the old Mezger engine.
But whereas you might be expecting that selecting the gears yourself is the making of the new car, its actually less clear-cut. Basically, the new manual gearbox doesnt have the shift quality of the old one. When you know its been adapted from the PDK you cant help but put two and two together and decide that its a compromise. Admittedly, it did seem to vary from car to car, according to those whose opinions we'd trust who drove different cars with the manual fitted, but the shift doesnt have the easy precision of the 997, although because it sits so much higher than before your working it from a different angle which must add to the slightly weird sensation. The most truthful thing I can about it is that I felt like needed more time in the manual car: it wasnt the easy winning solution I thought it would be."
He goes on to comment that the 7th gear can be confusing at first and then says "I cant believe Im about to write the next sentence but Id go as far to say that even I would seriously consider going PDK for the first time. Much like the the Ferrari 458, the 991 feels as though it has been developed around this type of transmission, and given the character of the rest of the car it might just be the best choice."
Jason
"What then of that other major 991 talking point: the seven-speed manual transmission? Having tried PDK frist, and found it rather uninvolving on the initial and less entertaining of the drives, I joined the scrum to get my hands on a manual-equipped car. As ever, driving the manual somehow seems to connect you more intimately with the car, and the engine seems more responsive to your command, free of an intermediary deciding how the gears are selected. One thing you really notice is how little flywheel effect there is with this new motor - the revs zip up and down the range when the clutch is engaged, much like the old Mezger engine.
But whereas you might be expecting that selecting the gears yourself is the making of the new car, its actually less clear-cut. Basically, the new manual gearbox doesnt have the shift quality of the old one. When you know its been adapted from the PDK you cant help but put two and two together and decide that its a compromise. Admittedly, it did seem to vary from car to car, according to those whose opinions we'd trust who drove different cars with the manual fitted, but the shift doesnt have the easy precision of the 997, although because it sits so much higher than before your working it from a different angle which must add to the slightly weird sensation. The most truthful thing I can about it is that I felt like needed more time in the manual car: it wasnt the easy winning solution I thought it would be."
He goes on to comment that the 7th gear can be confusing at first and then says "I cant believe Im about to write the next sentence but Id go as far to say that even I would seriously consider going PDK for the first time. Much like the the Ferrari 458, the 991 feels as though it has been developed around this type of transmission, and given the character of the rest of the car it might just be the best choice."
Jason
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From "911 & Porsche"
"What then of that other major 991 talking point: the seven-speed manual transmission? Having tried PDK frist, and found it rather uninvolving on the initial and less entertaining of the drives, I joined the scrum to get my hands on a manual-equipped car. As ever, driving the manual somehow seems to connect you more intimately with the car, and the engine seems more responsive to your command, free of an intermediary deciding how the gears are selected. One thing you really notice is how little flywheel effect there is with this new motor - the revs zip up and down the range when the clutch is engaged, much like the old Mezger engine.
But whereas you might be expecting that selecting the gears yourself is the making of the new car, its actually less clear-cut. Basically, the new manual gearbox doesnt have the shift quality of the old one. When you know its been adapted from the PDK you cant help but put two and two together and decide that its a compromise. Admittedly, it did seem to vary from car to car, according to those whose opinions we'd trust who drove different cars with the manual fitted, but the shift doesnt have the easy precision of the 997, although because it sits so much higher than before your working it from a different angle which must add to the slightly weird sensation. The most truthful thing I can about it is that I felt like needed more time in the manual car: it wasnt the easy winning solution I thought it would be."
He goes on to comment that the 7th gear can be confusing at first and then says "I cant believe Im about to write the next sentence but Id go as far to say that even I would seriously consider going PDK for the first time. Much like the the Ferrari 458, the 991 feels as though it has been developed around this type of transmission, and given the character of the rest of the car it might just be the best choice."
Jason
"What then of that other major 991 talking point: the seven-speed manual transmission? Having tried PDK frist, and found it rather uninvolving on the initial and less entertaining of the drives, I joined the scrum to get my hands on a manual-equipped car. As ever, driving the manual somehow seems to connect you more intimately with the car, and the engine seems more responsive to your command, free of an intermediary deciding how the gears are selected. One thing you really notice is how little flywheel effect there is with this new motor - the revs zip up and down the range when the clutch is engaged, much like the old Mezger engine.
But whereas you might be expecting that selecting the gears yourself is the making of the new car, its actually less clear-cut. Basically, the new manual gearbox doesnt have the shift quality of the old one. When you know its been adapted from the PDK you cant help but put two and two together and decide that its a compromise. Admittedly, it did seem to vary from car to car, according to those whose opinions we'd trust who drove different cars with the manual fitted, but the shift doesnt have the easy precision of the 997, although because it sits so much higher than before your working it from a different angle which must add to the slightly weird sensation. The most truthful thing I can about it is that I felt like needed more time in the manual car: it wasnt the easy winning solution I thought it would be."
He goes on to comment that the 7th gear can be confusing at first and then says "I cant believe Im about to write the next sentence but Id go as far to say that even I would seriously consider going PDK for the first time. Much like the the Ferrari 458, the 991 feels as though it has been developed around this type of transmission, and given the character of the rest of the car it might just be the best choice."
Jason
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From "911 & Porsche"
"What then of that other major 991 talking point: the seven-speed manual transmission? Having tried PDK frist, and found it rather uninvolving on the initial and less entertaining of the drives, I joined the scrum to get my hands on a manual-equipped car. As ever, driving the manual somehow seems to connect you more intimately with the car, and the engine seems more responsive to your command, free of an intermediary deciding how the gears are selected. One thing you really notice is how little flywheel effect there is with this new motor - the revs zip up and down the range when the clutch is engaged, much like the old Mezger engine.
But whereas you might be expecting that selecting the gears yourself is the making of the new car, its actually less clear-cut. Basically, the new manual gearbox doesnt have the shift quality of the old one. When you know its been adapted from the PDK you cant help but put two and two together and decide that its a compromise. Admittedly, it did seem to vary from car to car, according to those whose opinions we'd trust who drove different cars with the manual fitted, but the shift doesnt have the easy precision of the 997, although because it sits so much higher than before your working it from a different angle which must add to the slightly weird sensation. The most truthful thing I can about it is that I felt like needed more time in the manual car: it wasnt the easy winning solution I thought it would be."
He goes on to comment that the 7th gear can be confusing at first and then says "I cant believe Im about to write the next sentence but Id go as far to say that even I would seriously consider going PDK for the first time. Much like the the Ferrari 458, the 991 feels as though it has been developed around this type of transmission, and given the character of the rest of the car it might just be the best choice."
Jason
"What then of that other major 991 talking point: the seven-speed manual transmission? Having tried PDK frist, and found it rather uninvolving on the initial and less entertaining of the drives, I joined the scrum to get my hands on a manual-equipped car. As ever, driving the manual somehow seems to connect you more intimately with the car, and the engine seems more responsive to your command, free of an intermediary deciding how the gears are selected. One thing you really notice is how little flywheel effect there is with this new motor - the revs zip up and down the range when the clutch is engaged, much like the old Mezger engine.
But whereas you might be expecting that selecting the gears yourself is the making of the new car, its actually less clear-cut. Basically, the new manual gearbox doesnt have the shift quality of the old one. When you know its been adapted from the PDK you cant help but put two and two together and decide that its a compromise. Admittedly, it did seem to vary from car to car, according to those whose opinions we'd trust who drove different cars with the manual fitted, but the shift doesnt have the easy precision of the 997, although because it sits so much higher than before your working it from a different angle which must add to the slightly weird sensation. The most truthful thing I can about it is that I felt like needed more time in the manual car: it wasnt the easy winning solution I thought it would be."
He goes on to comment that the 7th gear can be confusing at first and then says "I cant believe Im about to write the next sentence but Id go as far to say that even I would seriously consider going PDK for the first time. Much like the the Ferrari 458, the 991 feels as though it has been developed around this type of transmission, and given the character of the rest of the car it might just be the best choice."
Jason
I'm a manual guy, and a 991 is likely in my future at some point. I was already leery of 7 speeds, and now this comment about the shift quality not being as good as the 997. But I'll wait for more reviews and, most importantly, eventually trying it myself.
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That's somewhat troubling. I'm a manual guy, and a 991 is likely in my future at some point. I was already leery of 7 speeds, and now this comment about the shift quality not being as good as the 997. But I'll wait for more reviews and, most importantly, eventually trying it myself.
I'm a manual guy, and a 991 is likely in my future at some point. I was already leery of 7 speeds, and now this comment about the shift quality not being as good as the 997. But I'll wait for more reviews and, most importantly, eventually trying it myself.Trending Topics
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Perhaps this is the reason why the early 991's are only delivered with PDK and why there's so little (zero?) actual drive time of the MT's by auto reviewers. Porsche may not be happy with the MT either and is working on a solution.
This throws a real monkey wrench into my plans to get an early build MT 991.
This throws a real monkey wrench into my plans to get an early build MT 991.
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This throws a real monkey wrench into my plans to get an early build MT 991. 
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I have a deposit on a 991 GT3 and would be very dissapointed if that's the manual transmission they use
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and this doesn't help (from edmunds inside line):
"The "Panamera Light" center console is taller than in any previous 911s, but it's neither off-putting nor particularly distracting. What is annoying is the small driver's footwell that seems optimized for two-pedal operation in PDK-equipped 911s. In the three-pedal manual transmission car, the driver's legs feel crammed over toward the centerline."
Supports the other reviewer's comment that the car was designed around PDK
"The "Panamera Light" center console is taller than in any previous 911s, but it's neither off-putting nor particularly distracting. What is annoying is the small driver's footwell that seems optimized for two-pedal operation in PDK-equipped 911s. In the three-pedal manual transmission car, the driver's legs feel crammed over toward the centerline."
Supports the other reviewer's comment that the car was designed around PDK
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Sorry to break this to you guys, but the writing has been on the wall for a long time, the days of the manual transmission are coming to an end just as much as the days of naturally aspirated engines are now numbered.
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Wonder if there will be a MT for the 991 turbo. The 997 Turbo S was PDK only. Also a PDK type transmission is well mated to the turbo, since it can keep the car on boost more effectively than the average Porsche owner (aka me) rowing a stick.
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Wonder if there will be a MT for the 991 turbo. The 997 Turbo S was PDK only. Also a PDK type transmission is well mated to the turbo, since it can keep the car on boost more effectively than the average Porsche owner (aka me) rowing a stick.
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I am skeptical of the 7 speed MTs. I hope that the 7th gear is just for highway cruising and that the other gears are not compromised with lower revs. That would not be good ... having to shift the MT at lower rpms.
I agree that the car was designed around the PDK. That's too bad as well IMO.
I love the MT in my 997 Turbo. I can't imagine driving a PDK equipped car. I suppose that if I drove it in traffic every day, I'd like the PDK. But, I don't. I drive back roads to work and have no use for just using my right foot.
I wish there were cars available at dealers now to evaluate the MT, Panamera-like center console and the whole car. I guess I'll have to wait until February to find out. I'm sure more will come out as the car debuts.
I agree that the car was designed around the PDK. That's too bad as well IMO.
I love the MT in my 997 Turbo. I can't imagine driving a PDK equipped car. I suppose that if I drove it in traffic every day, I'd like the PDK. But, I don't. I drive back roads to work and have no use for just using my right foot.
I wish there were cars available at dealers now to evaluate the MT, Panamera-like center console and the whole car. I guess I'll have to wait until February to find out. I'm sure more will come out as the car debuts.