Tyresmoke Forums - View Single Post - First Drive

sidicks · 27-07-2008, 12:13 PM

I went to my local dealer yesterday to have a testdrive of the updated 911 (997) with the PDK gearbox, and thought I'd share a few thoughts with the rest of TSN..........

Appearance
As has been commented on before, panel changes are relatively few and the most noticeable signs of the update are the LED running lights (fog lights are now incorporated into the main light unit, and dynamic cornering lights are now an option) and new (curved) LED lights at the rear.

Interior
The instrument cluster and layout are unchanged, but the biggest change inside is to the central console where the new buttons include a touch-screen Sat Nav system (with TV as an option!). Hidden in the centre console is connectivity for an iPOD which can then be operated using the touch screen controls in the main console, as well as AUX and USB inputs.

The Sat Nav does look a lot more modern, with 3D views etc, and the touch screen functionality makes it very easy to move around the map, plan routes etc. Dissapointingly, the postcode input is still only the first 4 (or 5) digits, but as the new system is hard-drive based, it should be easier to update in due course. It may aslo be possible to add new POI such as speed cameras, as you used to be able to do on the BMW system.

Other changes include the option of ventilated seats (not available on the adaptive sports seats), voice control for the entertainment sytems and a Bluetooth phone module is also now available.

Engine
The full details of the new engine are elsewhere on TSN, but the direct injection engine in the Carrera S sits lower in the chasis (and slightly further forward) is now more fuel efficient and has an extra 30 bhp. 0-60 mph now takes 4.7s for the manual, 4.5s for the PDK (dual-clutch) gearbox and 4.3s if you have the PDK in conjunction with the Sports Chrono using the launch control functionality. Apparrently there are no limitations on using the launch control, and more than x attempts will not void the warranty!!

Gearbox
PDK is Porsche's long awaited 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual gearbox, and it was the PDK that was the main reason for my test-drive. After having been shown how it works by the saleman, it was my turn to have a play.

Firstly, automatic mode is very impressive, adapting to your driving style by holding the revs for longer and dropping down gears quicker when required, just like any other decent auto box. When driving gently, the gearbox shifts into 7th at any speed above 40mph or so, to the benefit of fuel economy. However, 7th is very much an overdrive, and unlike 6th (in the manual) where there is still meaningful acceleration when you put your foot down, you do need to change down to pick up speed in the PDK (unsurprisingly).

PDK is more than just an impressive replacement for the old-fashioned tiptronic box, and the manual control (as with Audi's DSG and BMW's SMG) is where it is at its best.

Gear changes can be made with the buttons on the wheel or the stick itself (including when you are in automatic mode), but as has been commented in the motoring press, the stick itself isn't intuitive as you push the stick forward to go up a gear and pull it back to go down, the opposite of most semi-automatic gearboxes.

To my mind however, one of the key advantages of any automatic manual gearbox is the ability to change gear without having to take your hands of the wheel. The system uses 'buttons' rather than the traditional 'paddles' and become pretty intuitive after a relatively short drive. Whereas the paddles on a DSG gearbox have one side for going up a gear and the other side for going down, the PDK is different, where you press the button (with the fleshy part of your palm) to go up a gear, and pull the buttons towards you (with your fingers) to go down.

Changing gears is easy and instant, and very satisfying with a blip of the throttle on downshifts. Basically you do not need to lift off the throttle when changing gear, unlike in the rival systems (if you believe what the salemsan says!), so acceleration is uninterrupted which is deeply impressive.

The test car didn't have Sports Chrono, so I wasn't able try the sports mode for faster shifts or launch control, but the changes in standard mode were done in small fractions of a second.

My focus was on the gearbox, rather than the engine, but i can't say the extra 30bhp over my car was particularly noticeable/ albeit this is an increase of less than 10% - presumably the reason for this is that the extra power is spread throughout the rev range rather than having a more noticeable kick at the top end, for example. The performance figures (particularly with PDK in combination with Sports Chrono) speak for themselves, and if the improved performance is combined with noticeable fuel ecomony benefits then this is a huge bonus. Not sure I justify trading up for environmental reasons though..........

Conclusions
My 911 will be 3 years old in March, so with the delivery times currently being quoted, I'd need to consider making an order in the next few months if i wanted a car in March '09.

There is no way I'd consider changing my car simply to get 'the new version', but the PDK is a very attractive package and the interior improvements bring the car back up to where it needed to be to compete with 9its rivals.

If I was to 'upgrade', I think I might be tempted to go with the 2WD version (rather than the 4WD version I currently have), which would save circa £5k, enough to fund the cost of the PDK gearbox, sports chrono and have plenty of money left over for some other options.

Having recently changed jobs, and with the credit crunch showing no signs of abating, I'm not going to be placing a deposit in the near future, but I think if conditions improve and bonuses are decent at the start of 2009, then I would consider making an order.

For the time being my manual C4S is still proving very satisfying to own!

Sidicks

27-07-2008, 12:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
sidicks Audi RS4 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Tunbridge Wells, UK Posts: 3,334	First Drive - 997 Carrera S with PDK gearbox I went to my local dealer yesterday to have a testdrive of the updated 911 (997) with the PDK gearbox, and thought I'd share a few thoughts with the rest of TSN.......... Appearance As has been commented on before, panel changes are relatively few and the most noticeable signs of the update are the LED running lights (fog lights are now incorporated into the main light unit, and dynamic cornering lights are now an option) and new (curved) LED lights at the rear. Interior The instrument cluster and layout are unchanged, but the biggest change inside is to the central console where the new buttons include a touch-screen Sat Nav system (with TV as an option!). Hidden in the centre console is connectivity for an iPOD which can then be operated using the touch screen controls in the main console, as well as AUX and USB inputs. The Sat Nav does look a lot more modern, with 3D views etc, and the touch screen functionality makes it very easy to move around the map, plan routes etc. Dissapointingly, the postcode input is still only the first 4 (or 5) digits, but as the new system is hard-drive based, it should be easier to update in due course. It may aslo be possible to add new POI such as speed cameras, as you used to be able to do on the BMW system. Other changes include the option of ventilated seats (not available on the adaptive sports seats), voice control for the entertainment sytems and a Bluetooth phone module is also now available. Engine The full details of the new engine are elsewhere on TSN, but the direct injection engine in the Carrera S sits lower in the chasis (and slightly further forward) is now more fuel efficient and has an extra 30 bhp. 0-60 mph now takes 4.7s for the manual, 4.5s for the PDK (dual-clutch) gearbox and 4.3s if you have the PDK in conjunction with the Sports Chrono using the launch control functionality. Apparrently there are no limitations on using the launch control, and more than x attempts will not void the warranty!! Gearbox PDK is Porsche's long awaited 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual gearbox, and it was the PDK that was the main reason for my test-drive. After having been shown how it works by the saleman, it was my turn to have a play. Firstly, automatic mode is very impressive, adapting to your driving style by holding the revs for longer and dropping down gears quicker when required, just like any other decent auto box. When driving gently, the gearbox shifts into 7th at any speed above 40mph or so, to the benefit of fuel economy. However, 7th is very much an overdrive, and unlike 6th (in the manual) where there is still meaningful acceleration when you put your foot down, you do need to change down to pick up speed in the PDK (unsurprisingly). PDK is more than just an impressive replacement for the old-fashioned tiptronic box, and the manual control (as with Audi's DSG and BMW's SMG) is where it is at its best. Gear changes can be made with the buttons on the wheel or the stick itself (including when you are in automatic mode), but as has been commented in the motoring press, the stick itself isn't intuitive as you push the stick forward to go up a gear and pull it back to go down, the opposite of most semi-automatic gearboxes. To my mind however, one of the key advantages of any automatic manual gearbox is the ability to change gear without having to take your hands of the wheel. The system uses 'buttons' rather than the traditional 'paddles' and become pretty intuitive after a relatively short drive. Whereas the paddles on a DSG gearbox have one side for going up a gear and the other side for going down, the PDK is different, where you press the button (with the fleshy part of your palm) to go up a gear, and pull the buttons towards you (with your fingers) to go down. Changing gears is easy and instant, and very satisfying with a blip of the throttle on downshifts. Basically you do not need to lift off the throttle when changing gear, unlike in the rival systems (if you believe what the salemsan says!), so acceleration is uninterrupted which is deeply impressive. The test car didn't have Sports Chrono, so I wasn't able try the sports mode for faster shifts or launch control, but the changes in standard mode were done in small fractions of a second. My focus was on the gearbox, rather than the engine, but i can't say the extra 30bhp over my car was particularly noticeable/ albeit this is an increase of less than 10% - presumably the reason for this is that the extra power is spread throughout the rev range rather than having a more noticeable kick at the top end, for example. The performance figures (particularly with PDK in combination with Sports Chrono) speak for themselves, and if the improved performance is combined with noticeable fuel ecomony benefits then this is a huge bonus. Not sure I justify trading up for environmental reasons though.......... Conclusions My 911 will be 3 years old in March, so with the delivery times currently being quoted, I'd need to consider making an order in the next few months if i wanted a car in March '09. There is no way I'd consider changing my car simply to get 'the new version', but the PDK is a very attractive package and the interior improvements bring the car back up to where it needed to be to compete with 9its rivals. If I was to 'upgrade', I think I might be tempted to go with the 2WD version (rather than the 4WD version I currently have), which would save circa £5k, enough to fund the cost of the PDK gearbox, sports chrono and have plenty of money left over for some other options. Having recently changed jobs, and with the credit crunch showing no signs of abating, I'm not going to be placing a deposit in the near future, but I think if conditions improve and bonuses are decent at the start of 2009, then I would consider making an order. For the time being my manual C4S is still proving very satisfying to own! Sidicks __________________ You can't polish a turd Last edited by sidicks; 27-07-2008 at 12:24 PM.