Porsche’s PDK transmission is the fastest auto ‘box in the business, but is it really that much faster than a comparable manual with a skilled driver behind the wheel? That’s what Carwow’s latest video attempts to answer as it pits two Porsche 911 GT3s – one with a PDK and one with a manual – against each other in a series of races.
The comparison sees the standard 911 GT3 with a PDK face off against the GT3 Touring with a manual. Both are powered by the same 4.0L naturally aspirated flat-six making 502 hp (509 PS / 374 kW) and 346 lb-ft (470 Nm) of torque, though the Touring weighs 37 lb (17 kg) less than the regular GT3 thanks to its lighter transmission.
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In the first drag race, the manual had loads of wheelspin, but the PDK encountered shifting issues, so the manual ultimately ended up winning by about 2 car lengths. The second race saw the manual jump the start and mess up a shift, so unsurprisingly the PDK won, but only by about one car’s length. The third and final drag race was actually pretty even at the start, but once third gear hit, the PDK started pulling ahead. That being said, this was the closest finishing result yet, with the manual finishing right on the PDK’s bumper. Overall, the fastest quarter mile time recorded by the GT3 with the PDK was 11.4 seconds, while the manual was 11.5.
Moving on to the roll races, the first one from 30 mph (48 km/h), actually saw the manual win with the PDK right on its bumper, but it was supposedly because the PDK botched the launch. In the second roll, also from 30 mph (48 km/h), the predictable reverse result ensued, with the manual finishing on the PDK’s rear bumper. In the third roll race, which was from 50 mph (80 km/h), the manual finally won fair and square, with the PDK finishing about a half a car’s length behind it.
With all this in mind, these were all straight-line races over a relatively short distance, and it’s quite possible that the PDK’s quick-shifting advantage would show up better on a proper racetrack. Given that, for those looking for the maximum enjoyment factor, the manual is likely the better bet with very little tradeoffs in terms of speed, while the PDK is best for those looking for the 911 with the most all-out performance (or perhaps just an easier driving experience around town).