Changing gears: Next Porsche 911 Turbo won’t have a manual transmission

By Stephen Edelstein May 1, 2013

The next Porsche 911 Turbo may not have a clutch pedal. This decision will surely outrage purists and delight the legions of accountants who buy 911 Turbos, but it shouldn’t surprise anyone.

Road & Track reports that the 911 Turbo will follow the 911 GT3’s lead by ditching the manual transmission option. That means Porsche’s PDK dual-clutched automated transmission will be the only option.

Those expecting to see the seven-speed manual Porsche debuted on lesser versions of the current 991 911 might feel blindsided, but going PDK-only does make sense.

The brutal truth is that the PDK is a better transmission. Its shifts are literally faster than human reflexes, contributing to better acceleration figures and lower lap times on the track. It’s also one of the only clutch-less transmissions to win over car magazine test drivers.

The only thing the manual has going for it is the romance and fun of driver involvement, but subjective qualities like those rarely survive the onslaught of sales and performance data carmakers use to decide what they are going to build.

The 911 is a sports car, but if Porsche was really only selling them to people who appreciate driving for its own sake, it would be in the same position as Lotus.

The people who garage their 911s with Panameras and Cayennes are probably happy to be saved from the indignity of stalling at a red light.

Also, the GT3 has always been the ultimate driver’s 911. It’s naturally-aspirated engine, rear-wheel drive chassis, and lack of superfluous luxuries make the GT3 more elemental than the numbers-oriented Turbo. So if the GT3 has gone PDK-only, why bother saving the Turbo’s manual?

Transmission travesties aside, the new 911 Turbo should be quite a machine. It’s flat-six will produce 520 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. A Turbo S model will increase the lunacy with 560 hp and 516 lb-ft. and a 196 mph top speed.

The 911 Turbo will also have active aerodynamic features. A rubber inner tube running along the inside of the front spoiler will inflate when Sport Plus mode is engaged, increasing downforce.

Do you think Porsche is making the right decision? Tell us in the comments.

Editors' Recommendations

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?

The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.