Well, I put it in D and can drive anywhere without any shifting. That's an automatic to me, right?

 

Nope, it's an automated manual, not an automatic. From Wikipedia:

Despite superficial similarity to other transmissions, automatic transmissions differ significantly in internal operation and driver's feel from semi-automatics. An automatic uses a torque converter instead of a clutch to manage the connection between the transmission gearing and the engine. In contrast, a semi-automatic retains a clutch like a manual transmission, but controls the clutch through electrohydraulic means.

A dual-clutch transmission, (DCT) (sometimes referred to as a twin-clutch gearbox or double-clutch transmission), is a type of semi-automatic or automated manual automotive transmission. It uses two separate clutches[1] for odd and even gear sets. It can fundamentally be described as two separate manual transmissions (with their respective clutches) contained within one housing, and working as one unit.[2][3] They are usually operated in a fully automatic mode, and many also have the ability to allow the driver to manually shift gears,[1] albeit still carried out by the transmission's electro-hydraulics.

 

With the continued march of computers controlling mechanical actuators in cars (regulating air/fuel intake mechanics including those occurring during gear changes), we are going to have to describe foot operated clutches as pedual and manually directed computer controlled clutches as handual.

 

Sorry but this is utter marketing doublespeak garbage sanctioned by the engineering department and many are buying into it to make them feel better. That's fine, but I want to call it what it is.

I realize most here have PDK's and I don't mean to offend anyone, but when I had a PDK I tried to explain to my friends that it was an automated manual. It was all they could do to try not to laugh in my face.

In the real world, if it shifts for you, it's an automatic.

 

I've driven them, and I remain stunned with the affinity for PDK. Throughout all of these years, I really thought that people favored manual transmissions because of the mechanical connection of shifting through the gears, melding the clutch, etc. Throughout all of this time, I felt that people were disliking automatic transmissions. Much to my surprise (horror/dismay), it clearly wasn't that people disliked automatic transmissions. They were obviously just waiting for a GOOD (great?) automatic transmission. Now that they have a good automatic transmission, they feel compelled to justify their decision by calling it an 'automated manual'. I have an SUV with an automatic transmission. I have the option to put it in manual mode to shift it myself. Obviously doesn't shift as fast as the vaunted PDK. Doesn't make it any more of a manual, though.

 

I completely agree.

 

Let's say you've got a tree down across your driveway after a storm and all you have at home is your Carerra 4s with pdk. Would you tie a rope to it and set there and tug it in low gear for a half hour straight? If you did, you'd be retarded and would burn up the clutches, because it is still a manual transmission. If you had an older 911 with the tip-tronic, you could set there and tug away all day at it because the transmission cooler will dissipate the energy that is converted to heat in the torque convertor.

Also, you might want to read the wiki stub on the tip-tronic, as that transmission has been called a manumatic, semi-automatic or clutchless manual. If you don't understand the difference between a clutched transmission and clutchless transmission, you're likely going to damage any manual, single clutch sequential or dual clutch transmission that you attempt to drive.

 

Ugh....
I feel that you are really reaching here. I do not care one bit what my Porsche 911 is doing inside while I am attempting to use it to pull a tree off my driveway. Here is all I know. From a driver's seat physical perspective. When driving a Porsche PDK in AUTO or manual mode, I am not physically performing ANY differently than when driving my SUV in AUTO or manual mode. Whatever the car is doing (and it is clearly doing it much more quickly and efficiently) has no bearing on what I am physically doing in the driver's seat. Making it an automatic from MY perspective.

 

in the past, people favored manual transmissions over automatics because manual transmissions gave better performance. manuals allowed you to control the engine between. automatics were slower and did not give you control. with the new PDK you get control, you get faster shifts, you get better performance. the only thing you don't get is the use of your left leg (could try left foot braking). and you don't get to hold a pole with your right hand. but you can hold your own pole at night ;-)

 

I have to agree that the PDK is an automatic. Also I thought the Tiptronic was renamed the "chicktronic"?

 

Interesting. I just remain shocked. I truly never thought that people were just waiting for the RIGHT automatic to like an automatic. Live and learn I guess....

 

Semantics won't change the true nature of the transmission. It operates in what is perceived as 'automatic' but it isn't an automatic. Automatics have torque converters, not clutches. But if calling it 'automatic' floats your boat, by all means call it what you want. Just know this: it is the future and a lot of money will go into improving them whereas little will be invested in third-pedal-manuals and they will eventually go the way of slide rules and buggy whips.
I foresee 10-speed versions of DCTs in the not too distant future which will give low end close ratios for sprints and long top gears for high top speeds and better fuel economy.

 

I could not possibly agree more.

Semantics, with regard to referring to this as a manual transmission, will still not change the fact that my physical actions in driving a PDK are no different than my SUV's automatic, regardless of what the mechanics are.

I understand your point, and I believe you understand mine. I also understand that the time of the 3 pedal manual transmission is nearly expired, and I am just glad to have one of the final versions before it is extinct!

 

By the logic above, the physical act of a hand or finger on a button or paddle makes PDK a manual transmission. The clutch actuators in the PDK are fully equivalent to the linkages and levers that move the clutch in the, er other option. Yup- this is how much sense this debate makes.

 

Really? This is how you really see it? OK.

Nope. Moving the lever in my SUV in manual mode does not make it a manual TO ME. Once again. Regardless of what the car is doing 'behind the scenes'.