Most leading performance automakers like Ferrari, Lamborghini and Mercedes-AMG no longer offer manual transmissions, as there is virtually no demand for manuals.
Porsche, however, has decided to keep stick shifts for the customers that still want them.
Currently, between 10 and 15 per cent of 911 models sold worldwide are optioned with a manual transmission, with the rest featuring for the quicker-shifting and more efficient PDK automatic.
Despite that massive disparity, engineering boss for the 911 Turbo, Carrera 4 and Targa, Erhard Mossle, confirmed to Car and Driver that the automaker won’t kill of manuals just yet.
“It’s a unique selling proposition for Porsche to have a manual in the 911 range, and I think we will fight for that as long as possible. Even if it’s only 10 percent of the market, it’s important for some customers and for some markets, especially the U.S., to have that kind of gearbox.”
Porsche may have phased out manual gearboxes in its high-performance GT variants of the 911, but freely admits a manual can offer a more direct connection between the driver and the machine compared to the PDK.
“What we learned from the last two years with the Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder is that it’s not only a discussion of lap times, but also of emotion, of being fun to drive. Even if the car is not the fastest, it is fun to drive with a manual. Of course the PDK is faster, but a lot of customers want to change gear by themselves. Therefore I think we should keep it, for the next generation also”, said Mossle.
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