Car News – Porsche PDK Transmission a work of genius.

Porsche PDK Transmission

Available as an option for Porsche 911 models is the new PDK Double Clutch Transmission.  It replaces the original Tiptronic Transmissions that Porsche developed back in the 2000 Porsche Boxster.  Today we are going to look at what is so different about this transmission and what are the benefits when driving a 911 that has one of these.

First off, the proper name for this transmission is the “Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe”…… but we’ll just call it a PDK because all that gibberish takes to long to say.  The experimental concept of this transmission was made back in the 1980′s and used to win in a German national championship race and several international championship races in Monza, Italy.  The reason why this transmission was never fully introduced into production vehicles was because of the cost to not only manufacture them, but the even higher price tag to sell them with your new Porsche.

So, how does it work you ask? The PDK is essentially two gearboxes in one, each with its own clutch. They work alternately and sequentially, with the next gear in sequence engaged when the first is selected. Computer control prevents downshifts that would result in engine damage, and, if speed decreases quickly enough, gears can be skipped. Gears are the same standard type as found in a normal manual gearbox, not the planetary gears of a torque converter automatic. Further sensor input and computer control prevents shifting at inopportune times, such as during hard cornering. The motorcycle-type wet clutches and the gear sets have separate lubrication systems, as each needs a different type of lubricating oil.

So, with all that explained, why is this better than the tiptronic transmissions that Porsche’s use to have?  In automatic mode, it not only is incredibly different from a conventional automatic, it learns what the driver needs enough that manual mode is not really any better, even when you would be driving faster than normal. Manually, it shifts much more quickly than the standard 6-speed stick. Unlike many current automated-manual cars, the shift paddles follow the convention of Porsche’s previous Tiptronic automatic and don’t emulate race-car applications, with separate up- and down-shift paddles.

So, put simply the Porsche PDK Transmission in my opinion is quite simply a work of genius.  It’s a shame that they didn’t just release this transmission back in early 2000 because it would be amazing to think what they would have today.