Porsche's 'Pretty Damn Kwik' gearbox

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Porsche to launch direct-shift gearbox
Dual clutches will mean quicker gearchanges
Models with gearbox or timescale not yet known

Driving your Porsche could soon be easier and quicker - it's introducing a new direct-shift gearbox

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Volkswagen calls it DSG, but Porsche will call its version of a semi-automatic dual-clutch gearbox PDK.

The company won't reveal when the PDK transmission will be available, or for which cars, but we do know what PDK stands for, because Porsche racing cars already have sports versions of the gearbox.

While DSG stands for Direct-Shift Gearbox, Porsche's version has the imaginative title of Porsche Doppelkupplungen - Porsche Double Clutches.

Why Porsche buyers would want PDK
A dual-clutch gearbox uses two clutches, but no clutch pedal. The first clutch operates the odd gears, while the second operates the even gears.

Using this type of system, gears are changed smoothly and quickly with very little interruption of power. So acceleration is faster than with a manual gearbox.

Formula One-style paddles on either side of the steering wheel are normally used to make the gearchanges, enhancing the sporty feel of the car.

Rivals such as Audi already have their own versions of the gearbox (Audi's is called S-tronic), so we're sure Porsche buyers can't wait to try the PDK gearbox.