Hidden Tricks: PDK Double Clutch Trans Turns Porsche Carrera 4 into Carrera 2

New PDK double clutch transmission turns the Porsche Carrera 4 into a flexible flier

By Alex Ricciuti
November 7, 2008 11:23 PM
Filed Under: German, Porsche

Our colleagues at garage419.com who took the new 997 for a few spins around the block at the Miller Motorsports Park have also revealed a neat trick told to them by Porsche engineers -- a sort of hidden feature of this new PDK transmission. By pulling up on the hand brake just one notch it's not the parking brake that comes on but what this Porsche actually does is disengage the front axle. Thereby turning the 997 (with a wink and nod) into a rear-wheel drive doughnut maker.

The seven-speed twin-clutch PDK will be featured in the new Porsche 997, or the Carrera 4, along with a new direct-injection engines that provide a lot more torque in the lower rpm range.

What is different about this gear box is the exceptionally quick changes it allows. What also sets the PDK apart are its 3 different shift-modes -- Normal, Sport and Sport Plus. You can have a look at the video to see what the Sport Plus does for this Porsche.

Source: Garage419.com

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Comments

catchmyshadow

November 7, 2008 11:36 PM

pretty cool, almost like 2 (cars) in 1 then. RWD for the track, AWD for rain, winter and ur wife :D

Get_real

November 8, 2008 12:31 AM

I don't care about the whole GT-R thing. Porsche is still the ultimate allrounder. And the 997 looks just perfect.

Iconic

November 8, 2008 1:11 AM

ok, that's pretty dam sweet. Porsche is the shiznit. i wish my subie could do that. I like how they don't make a big deal of it.. sneaky.

jai_mav

November 8, 2008 1:25 AM

each generation of porsches seem perfect, but the next gen is somehow always even better. thats the magic of posrsche. looks like the poor guy is gonna lose his job.

gtrs09

November 8, 2008 2:22 AM

that launch control thing isn't a secret lol

KKS

November 8, 2008 5:56 AM

Poor guy hope he doesn't get fired lol

PotatoEater

November 8, 2008 7:19 AM

I don't care for any car because I don't try to be special or smart by being an internet armchair expert. The GTR is awesome in its own right, so is the Porsche. Stop getting your panties in a twist.

Xanavi23

November 8, 2008 3:47 PM

The addition of the PDK to the Carrera was godly, its a great transmission thats been used in Porsches highest race cars since the mid 80s. The feature is awesome although i'ld still get a Carrera 2 with PDK if possible.

Bristol411S3

November 8, 2008 4:05 PM

PDK elected most disappointing thing of 2008 in this month's Evo magazine.

catchmyshadow

November 8, 2008 4:35 PM

u have to add the comment of EVOs then: "The PDK works as you would expect. It’s quicker-shifting than a Tiptronic, ultimately slower-shifting than a Ferrari F1-SuperFast in maximum-attack mode, but much smoother and better in every way than Aston Martin’s Sportshift. And in automatic it’s excellent: smooth and civilised in normal mode, good at keeping the engine between max torque and max power in Sport Plus. Does all this make an optimum 911? Technically yes, but some of the emotion is missing compared with a proper DIY manual."

catchmyshadow

November 8, 2008 4:37 PM

which means:

PDK: perfect BUT maybe too perfect...

TSLi

November 8, 2008 6:32 PM

That is cool!

But all that extra weight of the front axle would compromise handling when set in 2WD mode right?

GT-R is cheaper though... :D

loki

November 8, 2008 6:44 PM

that's the whole thing of having a Porsche: it's maybe not the fastest car out thjere, but certainly one of the most rewarding to drive. when they introduced the AWD system I really thought it was a bad idea (except on the 911 Turbo).. this system brings back some of the original "Porsche falvour". well done.

jamaicandude

November 9, 2008 12:14 AM

I'm amazed at how many people think this is a new thing. Many AWD vehicles already do this. Subarus have had this feature for years. Volvos, Mazdas... it's nothing new.

alessandro

November 9, 2008 5:29 PM

It is Porsche, what there could possibly be new.

RS5

November 10, 2008 6:27 AM

So there is no stick option on these facelifted 997s?

Xanavi23

November 10, 2008 5:00 PM

No, im pretty sure the base transmission option should be a manual-stick. PDK being a costly option on Carerras at least.

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