Rohrl on GT3, CGT, manual transmissions...
01-18-2014, 06:37 PM
#1
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Rohrl on GT3, CGT, manual transmissions...
Found this link in the 987-981 forum. Posting it on all three GT3 forums.
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/defa...?storyId=29197
On Carrera GT vs 918:
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/defa...?storyId=29197
And the next predictable Porsche question; PDK in the GT3 - thoughts?
[With a knowing smile] "Yes, during the press launch everybody was complaining and saying: 'Why?!' But I said, 'Be happy! Drive the car and you will see how much easier it is for you to go fast.' The shifting is something very impressive. I think most engine problems we have created because people were not able to watch the rev counter, watch the speed, and know when to shift. So they would shift back too early and the engine would be over-revving. With PDK, you avoid this. But for myself, if I want to buy a car, and I want to say I keep this car for the next 20 years, I would always take a manual gearbox, because I believe more, I trust more in a manual than in a double clutch. I've just ordered a Boxster Spyder with a manual shift - and I know that it's working, it's perfect, and it's up to me how I handle things. But PDK makes life easier for normal customers."
[With a knowing smile] "Yes, during the press launch everybody was complaining and saying: 'Why?!' But I said, 'Be happy! Drive the car and you will see how much easier it is for you to go fast.' The shifting is something very impressive. I think most engine problems we have created because people were not able to watch the rev counter, watch the speed, and know when to shift. So they would shift back too early and the engine would be over-revving. With PDK, you avoid this. But for myself, if I want to buy a car, and I want to say I keep this car for the next 20 years, I would always take a manual gearbox, because I believe more, I trust more in a manual than in a double clutch. I've just ordered a Boxster Spyder with a manual shift - and I know that it's working, it's perfect, and it's up to me how I handle things. But PDK makes life easier for normal customers."
Given that, what's your pick of the GT3 lineage?
"It would have to be the first GT3 in 1999, the one in which I set first [Nurburgring] time under eight minutes, a 7:56. I think that car was like a 2.7 RS from 1973; a pure Porsche. Today it's easier to drive the new GT3. On the Nuerburgring, to go 7:35 is nothing any more. It's so easy to drive, it's so perfect; you don't even have to shift any more. You just put down the throttle and brake and everything is going automatically. Really the newest one is always the best one. But for myself, I always want that it is my talent to make the car fast, and in the old one you really need more talent than with the new one. But I still think the 997, with 435hp, it is a fantastic car. In it, everyone can go fast."
"It would have to be the first GT3 in 1999, the one in which I set first [Nurburgring] time under eight minutes, a 7:56. I think that car was like a 2.7 RS from 1973; a pure Porsche. Today it's easier to drive the new GT3. On the Nuerburgring, to go 7:35 is nothing any more. It's so easy to drive, it's so perfect; you don't even have to shift any more. You just put down the throttle and brake and everything is going automatically. Really the newest one is always the best one. But for myself, I always want that it is my talent to make the car fast, and in the old one you really need more talent than with the new one. But I still think the 997, with 435hp, it is a fantastic car. In it, everyone can go fast."
If I have to choose for a future car, I would take the Carrera GT. The car is slower, and it is much more difficult to drive, but it's more how I expect the car to be.
01-19-2014, 02:20 PM
#3
This is why PDK is now mandatory -
"I think most engine problems we have created because people were not able to watch the rev counter, watch the speed, and know when to shift."
It's all about minimizing warranty costs during the warranty period and maximizing reputation for durability after the warranty period.
IMHO.
"I think most engine problems we have created because people were not able to watch the rev counter, watch the speed, and know when to shift."
It's all about minimizing warranty costs during the warranty period and maximizing reputation for durability after the warranty period.
IMHO.
01-19-2014, 02:33 PM
#4
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01-19-2014, 02:34 PM
#5
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This is why PDK is now mandatory -
"I think most engine problems we have created because people were not able to watch the rev counter, watch the speed, and know when to shift."
It's all about minimizing warranty costs during the warranty period and maximizing reputation for durability after the warranty period.
IMHO.
"I think most engine problems we have created because people were not able to watch the rev counter, watch the speed, and know when to shift."
It's all about minimizing warranty costs during the warranty period and maximizing reputation for durability after the warranty period.
IMHO.
And it's chicken**** IMHO
People like options - charge more for the manual to offset anticipated warranty claims... Or just make another SUV :-)
01-19-2014, 02:49 PM
#6
Rennlist Member
Another potential reason is that Porsche's 7-speed manual in the 991, which is derived from the PDK for packaging/engineering/cost reasons, is garbage, and it is too impractical/expensive for them to design a completely separate manual tranny due to lower profit margins from the added R&D and assembly costs. Not that this is a good thing, but it is a rationale.
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01-22-2014, 11:24 AM
#8
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Years ago when Ferrari went to all paddle shifts, they said that it was because their clutch was so difficult for the every-day driver which as causing them to burn out clutches so quickly it was a bad image for the company. Porsche, at that time, said that their customers were 'much better drivers than that, and know how to shift a car' so they proclaimed they would stick with a manual, especially for the ultimate performance car in their line - GT3...
So much for that....
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01-22-2014, 12:54 PM
#9
GT3 player par excellence
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01-22-2014, 01:04 PM
#10
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01-22-2014, 03:47 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
I love the 7mt in my C2S, I would have gotten a GT3 if it were available. AP said they tested it and it was fine but they thought the PDK covered all the bases so they moved forward without that option. Being the same as the PDK I doubt they'd have an issue with reliability any moreso than with the auto leaving out money shifts.
01-22-2014, 05:45 PM
#13
Three Wheelin'
01-22-2014, 07:26 PM
#14
Instructor
While that is the official company line, I call BS on this. Porsche is now the MOST PROFITABLE car company in the world. They do all kinds of one-off things - look at the whole of the GT3 to begin with...or the 918...or... Point is, they could make a very robust manual, sell it as an option, and make $$ on it.
Years ago when Ferrari went to all paddle shifts, they said that it was because their clutch was so difficult for the every-day driver which as causing them to burn out clutches so quickly it was a bad image for the company. Porsche, at that time, said that their customers were 'much better drivers than that, and know how to shift a car' so they proclaimed they would stick with a manual, especially for the ultimate performance car in their line - GT3...
So much for that....
Years ago when Ferrari went to all paddle shifts, they said that it was because their clutch was so difficult for the every-day driver which as causing them to burn out clutches so quickly it was a bad image for the company. Porsche, at that time, said that their customers were 'much better drivers than that, and know how to shift a car' so they proclaimed they would stick with a manual, especially for the ultimate performance car in their line - GT3...
So much for that....
01-22-2014, 09:49 PM
#15
You're just joining "that" conversation now? Man, I'm surprised there was not violence in this forum over it. Look for interviews with AP about the 997 GT3/RS/4.0, then watch the 991GT3 interview.....