First Drive - 997 Carrera S with PDK gearbox

[sidicks]

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

[patently]

Good write-up. Thanks

Originally Posted by sidicks

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.

That would, I think, put me off PDK. Other reviews described the steering wheel buttons, and they sounded wrong to me as well

Originally Posted by sidicks

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

Same here! The downside for Porsche of a steady development process is that while each model is incrementally better than the previous, when you drive your "old" car home from the dealership you tend to think that yes, the new one is certainly better but only £££ better not the ££££££££££££££££ better that it would need to be to make you change

[sidicks]

Originally Posted by patently

That would, I think, put me off PDK. Other reviews described the steering wheel buttons, and they sounded wrong to me as well

I would have thought that most people wanting PDK would be more inclined to use the buttons on the wheel, rather than the stick. I certainly wouldn't let that put me off.

If you are used to a DSG gearbox, then it would probably take a bit longer to get used to, but I found the steering wheel buttons very easy to use, and after just 10 mins it was second nature whether I needed to push the button using the fleshy part of my thumb or pull the button with my fingers.


Sidicks

[Woppum]

really good review mate, read every word with interest. It sounds like the new 911 is going o be fantastic and I cant wait to see what they do with the next gt3 and RS models, which again are set to use this PDK box. its also interesting that the latest RSR is using a 4.0ltr engine, maybe there is even more room in its arse than we think?

As Patently as rightly said it is very odd they have made the gear-change 'inverted'. I can only assume they have done this because they think the majority of people will find it most instantly comfortable. Well its certainly not for lack of motor-sport experience! The lack of paddles and those silly buttons are however unforgivable in my eyes. Why try to be clever and offer something different from the rest of the market? Paddles work wether static or attached to the wheel. The buttons are next to useless on track nd far less satisfying on the road (old tip). Do you think paddles would have been bettter sidles?

[sidicks]

Originally Posted by Woppum

The buttons are next to useless on track and far less satisfying on the road (old tip). Do you think paddles would have been bettter sidles?

I'm interested to know why you think the buttons would be next to useless on the track?

To shift down a gear you simply pull the 'buton' towards you with your fingers, so not really that different than a paddle.

As I said in my post, it seems to work fine, as far as I'm concerned.

Simon

[Woppum]

They are much smaller and located in a position less than ideal at high speed, worst on fast corners when your trying not to oversteer laying the power on thin and holding the wheel tightat 10 and 2 o'clock. You need paddles where you can just flick with a finger.

I have only tried the 996TT ones. Things may have moved on, however i am still dubious as all track cars with sequ boxes go for paddles. It seems to be a formula that works best for not just me...

[sidicks]

Originally Posted by Woppum

T
I have only tried the 996TT ones. Things may have moved on, however i am still dubious as all track cars with sequ boxes go for paddles. It seems to be a formula that works best for not just me...

I can confirm that these are very different to the buttons you used to find on the 996 and 997 Tiptronics!

As above, for downshifts, they operate like small 'paddles'.

Sidicks

[Woppum]

hmmmnnn will need to have a gander. I cant help but be a sceptic about the brilliance of them, its in the blood. The rest of the car looks fantastic though!

[poobarr]

"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."

I must be the only one who thinks this sounds easier, I really struggle with DSG boxes.

I guess its a bit like inverting your controls on the games console it suits some brains and not others, shame you cant opt either way with the on board comp. or pre-order for factory (though that might be a can or worms come re-sale!).

[Cuprabob]

On the VW DSG box you also push it forward to go up and pull back o go down but although it's not intuitive to start with you soon get used to it.