In the 1980s, Porsche developed a world first in automotive technology for use in races and thus won the race: the dual-clutch transmission. In 2013, this progressive transmission technology returns to the circuit course: The new 911 GT3 has the fastest and most powerful Porsche dual-clutch transmission – PDK in short – that Porsche uses for a production vehicle. Just under 30 years – starting with a long pause and ending in an incredible success story.
Depending on the model range, more than three-quarters of all Porsche vehicles today are delivered with PDK – and the trend is on the rise.
The latest PDK offers extremely fast gear changes with no interruption in the flow of power, improved acceleration over the manual transmission, very short response times, reduced fuel consumption and a distinct increase in comfort.
PDK is essentially two gearboxes in one, thus requiring two clutches. This doubleclutch transmission provides an alternating, non-positive connection between the two half gearboxes and the engine by means of two separate input shafts. The flow of power from the engine is transmitted through one half gearbox and one clutch at a time, while the next gear is preselected in the second half gearbox. Therefore, during a gear change, one clutch simply opens and the other closes simultaneously, enabling gear changes to take place within milliseconds.
With the SPORT button selected, the full advantages of PDK are brought into play: a more immediate response to throttle inputs, relatively short shift times and swift throttle-blip downshifts on overrun, such as when braking into a corner, and always accompanied by an emotive engine sound.
Volkswagen have been having reliability issues with the 7-speed DSG. Yes most of the issues have been removed, but there are still millions of VW cars carrying the DSG with shift issues in heavy traffic and high humidity. What if VW Group adopted the 7-speed outgoing Porsche PDK system, the older tried and tested early PDK systems that could work with high horsepower engines in high humidity and stress? Is this the answer to VW Group gearbox woes? We wonder!
