Porsche's new PDK transmission trims 911 lap time on the 'Ring
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Porsche 911
Porsche decided to do a little 'Ring running in three different 2009-spec 911 models and quietly let the results slip during a press event. A 2009 911S fitted with Porsche's new twin clutch system (PDK: Porsche Doppelkupplung), Porsche Active Stability Management and "sport tires" took the top place, scoring a 7:50. The new PDK shifts a whopping 60-percent faster than the old Tiptronic S.
The first place getter was followed by what is assumed to be a 2009 911S with a manual transmission some eight seconds back, and then a 2008 911 S another four seconds back, at 8:02. There's no word on who was driving the cars, or what exactly counts as a "sport tire."
According to FastestLaps.com, Walter Rohrl did a 7:49 in a 997 turbo two years ago. If the next year's 911S is really that close to the twin-blower, that's not a bad feat. Still, the Cadillac CTS-V did the thing in 7:59 -- and so did the C6 Corvette that puts the current Porsche to bed and is an A-pillar away from the 2009... but who's counting?
[Source: Inside Line]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
AkulaX1 7:06PM (6/18/2008)
Since when the ring became the pedastole of performance?
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Paul P. 7:22PM (6/18/2008)
Ring times are like 0-60 or 1/4 mile times. They give a rough approximation of how the car performs under certain conditions. They aren't set in stone, but they do give us an idea of where the car sits performance wise. Which, most people would like to know if they're spending a significant amount of money on a car designed for performance over practicality.
R 7:22PM (6/18/2008)
Probably when people realized it was a great track that had a little of everything: elevation changes, all types of turns, and a long straight.
zamafir 7:32PM (6/18/2008)
Since it was first used as a race track and has yet to be rivaled in terms of its dynamics in regards to turns, elevation and weather changes et al?
Then again, all the world's automakers could be mistakenly testing at a track which shouldn't be a litmus test of performance for the exact reasons I just mentioned... that could be the case.
JD 7:57PM (6/18/2008)
Well, it is a pretty recent thing. I "blame" Gran Turismo, Forza Motorsport, and other racing games that show exactly how terrifying that track is, and what it means to get a good lap time there. It's also a very varied track, testing many different situations- a car that turns in a good 'ring time is going to be (probably) a fairly balanced car (as in, not all muscle like a Viper and not all handling like an Exige).
rouse42 7:25PM (6/18/2008)
this shows that the ZR1 is gonna have a hard time catching the GT-R because of the manual tranny. 8 seconds.
and sport tires probably mean Michelin Pilot Sport Cup's tread wear rating of 80. and a cost of $1756 per set! ouch!
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fujia 9:41AM (6/19/2008)
Not only is the NRing the best place to judge a performance oriented production car, I submit that it is the ONLY place where a chassis and an engine can be submitted to a maximum of scenarios. I have visited OEM proving grounds both here (Arizona) and in Japan and none come close to the length and the variables of the NRing (I have been driving the Ring since 1983). BTW, Nissan puts Porsche, not to mention Cadillac, to great shame 1
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mmm 11:19PM (6/18/2008)
Or it could be the improved engine.
mmm 11:20PM (6/18/2008)
That should have been a reply to pmiddle5
Mbuku Kanyau Mbithuka 7:42PM (6/18/2008)
Jeez, I wonder how cadillac and Porsche are shamed but not Toyota, Mercedes or BMW, or Ferarri.
Or did Z-06 not wash the floor with some lambos?
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JD 7:59PM (6/18/2008)
Sweet, it's about time Porsche got their Dual clutch transmission onto the road! I think I remember that Porsche has been working on these for ages, but then Audi ended up using them for their own cars (DSG), so Porsche put it off. Probably worth the wait, in any case. The old Tiptronic had to go, it was not exactly quick anymore.
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nagmashot 12:19AM (6/19/2008)
Porsche was the first company able to master the dual clutch techinc, they used it in Motorsport since the 1980´s and gave it to Audi which used it at the closing days of WRC Group B monster Rally car time.. the PDK technic find its way into the Audi sport quattro EvoII ..which allowed the Rally Audi rocket starts in 2.6s 0-100km/h, compared to the 3.1s the stick shift version of the same car reached.
Kitko 8:37PM (6/18/2008)
I think somebody compared the Corvette to the 911. Surely some mistake. Vette, as good and as iconic as it is, compared to 911, it's just a Cheevrolet Corvette. Nothing more.
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Chase 1:08AM (6/19/2008)
That's like saying a Tai hooker isn't as good as a French one just because she's cheaper.
LMBVette 9:58AM (6/19/2008)
You're obviously a Porche owner. ;)
If so...would you like to race my Vette? I didn't think so!
ken_aisin 8:44PM (6/18/2008)
I'm still thinking whether I should order the Nissan GTR or the CS4 with PDK transmission. Both are very tempting.
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Chase 8:55PM (6/18/2008)
The Porsche has like 100 hp less than all of the above. That's not a bad feat. That said, a Porsche will never be the best bang for the buck. However, this new 911 is definitely a step in the right direction.
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Poopy 10:06PM (6/18/2008)
Not the best bang for the buck? Go try and find a GT-R for sticker dumb@ss. You can get a 911 C4S for roughly the same price or less. You may be missing 100 horses, but you have a more proven chassis, better appointed interior, and you get to visit an upscale dealer versus a dull Nissan service bay.
Must be fun to have paid close to 100K for a GT-R and still have to sit next to scraggly Sentra and Versa owners in the waiting room when oil change time comes.
Also, aside from enthusiasts and video gamers, nobody knows what a GT-R even is. Everyone has heard of Porsche.
pmiddle5 10:09PM (6/18/2008)
^^^idk who you are even responding too but you are officially stupid
Chase 12:57AM (6/19/2008)
Haha Poopy, stuck-up Porsche fanboy much? I don't like the GT-R, but its a fact that its faster than anything Porsche currently has to offer AND its the same price as a base 911. Even if you consider 30k dealer markups, it still has more bang for the buck than anything Porsche has to offer, period. If you consider the ludicrous price of Porsche options, that just makes the picture even worse.
I'm personally considering a new car. My current favorites are the Maserati GranTurismo S, Audi TT-S, and 2009 Carrera w/ PDK (in that order). They are all 2+2s with dual-clutch autos. The TT-S is probably the fastest on a track with the Carrera right behind and the GT trailing. I have much respect for the mechanics of a Porsche, but its at the bottom of my list because I'd take absolutely no pride in owning one knowing the average Porsche owner is a jackass, like you are.