Q – Do you think that Porsche is making a big mistake to discontinue the manual transmission? I was shocked to hear that and I would not consider buying one if it only came with an automatic. Larry (same Larry)
A – I think that many of the purists will be deeply offended and moan, wring their hands and lament with other purists in “how dare they” conversations of theory and purity. I understand that and in their world I get it. But however, have they driven a PDK? I spent weeks with a Cayman R equipped with PDK. I ate the forbidden fruit. I admit I liked it. I had a ball with it. And after my extended test drive was done, I did NOT want to give it back.
The transmission shifted faster than I could, did less damage to the car than I would have done, anticipated what I was going to do before I consciously decided to do it, rev matched the down shift like no human can do and never over revved the engine or ground a gear.
When you say “I will never own a Porsche with automatic”, fine, I concede the point, NEITHER WOULD I… A PDK is not an automatic, it has an automatic clutch and it has automatic shifting, when you want it. So really it is the best of both an automatic and a manual and is neither.
When you want to shift, you can still shift when you want to. You move your finger rather than your left foot and right hand. And if you just want to relax and let the computer do the work for you it will. And as stated, better than you could do. If you feel your driving ability is being attacked, talk to a therapist about it but if you want to have more fun driving your car, try a PDK. Now Larry, that is your last question! MC