Just got last week my first turbo, a 2012 997.2 w PDK + sports chrono plus pkg.

Noobie question - do PDK turbos give that raw kick of acceleration through each gear when pushed hard enough? If so, about when?

I'm still in break-in mode, following official instructions always below 4.2k on tac. Basically baby mode even though now on my 4th p-car I'm pretty sure you could drive it like you stole it from delivery and likely be fine.

Anyways, only time I felt a pure acceleration burn personally was in a friend's 996 turbo (6 spd manual) some years ago. There was 3 of us in the car, and he did a 0-90 take off for me and I have to say it was pretty god like. Just pure spine pressing into the seat terror + excitement at same time with a distinct additional kick pressing me back into the seat as he worked up through the gears.

Pretty much what convinced me in the next car or two I'd upgrade to a turbo. Right now even very modest 0-60 freeway ramp accelerations I've done with below 4.2k tac shifts i can definitely tell I've got ton more power and acceleration time faster than my prior 997.1 C4S 6spd manual. But the PDK shifts so smooth and so fast, I dont feel any kick at all.

Does this make any sense? I know I just did 0-60 much faster than in my C4S but it didn't "feel" like it.

Once I get past break in and can really just stomp on the gas and rev up to 5500-6500 or so, does a PDK in sport or sports plus mode give that same feeling of raw grunt force pushing you back?

Im very happy with the car, just wondering about that ride in my friends 996 turbo vs mine. Maybe it's just my baby mode break in style

 

Your car will blow away your buddy's 996 TT. I have driven a 997.2 TT and TTS- the acceleration is ridiculous!

 

If you use launch control, it will not feel slower than your C4S. Trust me

 

No, A PDK equipped car will not give you that throw back in your seat rush that you get from a manual transmission. I bought a 2007 turbo tip a year ago. A friend of mine was interested in a Carrera or Carrera S so we test drove a 2008 Carrera 6sp manual and a 2010 Carrera S PDK. He previously owned a Corvette Z06 manual. I was shocked when my head banged against the headrest as I was thrown against the seat between every shift at WOT in the manual Carrera. It felt like the Carrera was faster than my 2007 Turbo. We then drove the PDK equipped 2010 Carrera S. The car felt more like my Turbo ( not as fast) but the thrust was gone. When you are able to launch your car you will get that feeling and more. You own one of the fastest cars on the road. When you are shifting you are disengaging the engine from the drive train from gear to gear. You lose some speed but when you drop that clutch in you get a much more visceral pull. PDK is so fast no slow down and also you will not lose boost. Any car that can go from 0-60 in less than 3 seconds is sick fast. Enjoy your new beast but if you want that feel you will need to go manual.

 

Trturbo hit the nail on the head!!! The kick on every shift is the loss of momentum, followed by the re-engagement of the power. So with the PDK, boost is not lost, and the milliseconds for the shift make the kick go away. In sport plus, the shifts will be harder, but the kick won't be the same as a manual TT.

 

That's exactly it. Guess I worded it badly but Trturbo described it much better.

I know I'm in an incredibly fast car and will get even better once past break in. And end of day, very happy I made the PDK choice - been a manual driver last 24 years other than few days here and there in pos rentals. So at least for variety sake, and all I've read about PDK I figured why not.

Miss the manual kick though. Guess I'll have to stick with terrifying my passengers with just one long continuing press back into their seats without loss of boost

 

Nope, that's why I sold my brand new '11 TTS and started a thread about it. It's like a lear jet not a roller coaster. It's too linear and becomes boring quickly. I don't care what the clock and the numbers say, I want to feel it.

The imperfections of manual shifting create more of the "seat of pants" experience. You feel more apparent torque albeit not shown on paper. Who cares what the numbers are if you don't get that erratic rush when you get on it? It's not about 0-60, it's about what it feels like and your involvement getting 0-60. 3.5sec 0-60 can feel much more exhilarating than 2.8sec. We all get too caught up in the numbers. Yes with launch control the TTS will get your attention but my goodness you're not going to do that every time you're at a stop light

I also feel they have the .1 tranny dumbed down to protect it. It's still latent. It could feel more involving but they don't want it to or trust it as of yet. As further iterations come on board this may be remedied but not in the MY11' or 12's.

I thought I was crazy for buying and selling so quickly but come to find out I'm not the only one. There are lots of us that feel the same way and have pulled the trigger, or will be pulling the trigger very soon, ESPECIALLY considering the price of admission and the ludicrous depreciation hit these cars are going to take in a very short period of time.

The 997.1 Metzer 6sp with a little love added is the buy right now.

YMMV

 

And unfortunately it will not get any better after break in. It will loosen up but the "Kick" you're missing won't suddenly appear. I'm not trying to be a bummer, just being honest and calling it the way it is.... Now that Ruf 550 I had, which I NEVER should have sold, got your attention. I wish I just could be happy with what I have rather than always trying to better it, so stupid, especially for a 50yo The TTS was an expensive mistake.