A 7-speed manual was introduced with the 991 generation in order to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy, but with the all-new, more powerful and efficient turbocharged six-pots ushered in with the 991.2, is Weissach actually thinking about cutting the cog count?
The current gearbox sparked a lot of controversies when it was first announced, but it turned out to be less overwhelming, more precise and improve fuel consumption. However, the new six-speeder in the 911 R has already been declared a peach. So, what gives?
When Car and Driver asked Michael Steiner, Porsche’s R&D chief, if the 911 R’s six-speeder success convinced the German car manufacturer to build more, he responded:
“From my point of view, it shouldn’t be the last. Technically, it is possible to have a six-speed manual gearbox. There are good reasons to have such a car, emotion-wise and for driver enjoyment and things like that, but if you look to the mix we have with the Carrera and Carrera S, it’s different.”
That’s because the majority of customers opt for the PDK, even those with track-day hobbies, as Steiner was quick to point out.
“On the other hand, if you look to the next cars we have in the more normal model line or a more conventional model line, year-by-year more and more customers are buying PDK. Within the next years, there will be definitely room for manual gearboxes, and we will have at least derivatives with manual gearboxes. But the general trend, also for car guys who would like to go on the racetrack, is shifting more and more in the direction of PDK.”
The writing’s on the wall, then: six or seven, enjoy it while you still can, ladies and gentlemen. Maybe the next 911 is safe, but at some point even Porsche will bow to this “trend” and the stick shift and third pedal will be no more.
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