Merc1
Premium
Rating:
If all good things come to those who wait, Porsche customers must be salivating at the prospect of this latest 911.
Rivals have been developing super-fast automated manual gearboxes for years, but Porsche has ignored the craze – until now. So is the twin-clutch set-up worth the wait?
Before answering that, it’s worth drawing your attention to the other updates. The 911’s distinctive profile is unaltered, but revised headlamps, LED running lights and updated rear clusters identify the fresh model.
Under the skin, the flat-six engine uses direct injection to boost power – up to 345bhp for the Carrera and 385bhp in the Carrera S we tried. It also reduces CO2 emissions to 225g/km, so the entry-level Carrera drops to Band F for road tax.
Quicker
So what about the new box? The Doppelkupplungsgetriebe set-up – PDK for short – translates as ‘double-clutch gearbox’, and it works in a similar way to VW’s DSG set-up. It drastically reduces shift times – so much so that the PDK model is two-tenths-of-a-second quicker from 0-62mph than the manual, completing the sprint in 4.3 seconds.
On the road, the system is impressive, but not without fault. The sequential gearlever has been configured to change up when you press it forwards and down when you pull it back. This is counter-intuitive, because as you slow for a corner your weight shifts forwards, yet you have to pull the lever backwards!
The alternative is equally unsatisfactory. Instead of a pair of steering wheel shifters, you get switches on its spokes. You press with your thumb to change up or nudge them from behind to change down, but they’re not as easy to use as paddles.
Operating the set-up feels more natural the longer you spend behind the wheel, while a tall seventh gear makes for refined cruising, and the auto function is fine for normal driving. However, we think the standard manual is still the best choice for enthusiasts.
Rival: Audi R8
As with the 911, the R8 is best enjoyed with a manual box. The exposed gearlever and metallic click-clack sound as you swap ratios adds to the drama from behind the wheel.
Porsche 911 Carrera S PDK | First Drives | Car Reviews | Auto Express
M
