All Thumbs? No Problem: Gemballa F1 steering wheel for Porsche 911 PDK
Porsche 911 Carrera PDK with Gemballa F1 steering wheel - Click above for a hi-res gallery
There's no doubt that the technology behind the Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission is a marvel of engineering – much like any other dual-clutch gearbox – but its ergonomics leave something to be desired. Instead of offering seamless and effortless shifting, journalists and buyers alike have derided the placement of the shift levers on the steering wheel (much like many chided the thumb rockers on its Tiptronic predecessor). Fortunately, there is no shortage of aftermarket tuners out there which specialize specifically in Porsche, and one of them has just stepped up with an answer.
Gemballa, the same tuning house that has come up with a seemingly endless string of gonzo modified Porsches, has just released a new aftermarket steering wheel for PDK-equipped 911s that aims to rectify the sportscar's ergonomic shortfalls. The 34 cm wheel incorporates a full-size airbag and can be ordered in a variety of color and trim combinations to match your 997's interior, but the highlight is a set o black paddles positioned behind the wheel: right for up, left for down, no questions, no problems. Check it out in the gallery below.
Gallery: Gemballa F1 steering wheel for PDK
[Source: Gemballa]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
why not the LS2LS7? 6:32PM (4/03/2009)
Even with that garish huge multicolored logo in the center, this is easily the most tasteful thing I've ever seen Gemballa produce.
Reply
KeatMP 6:36PM (4/03/2009)
That's the thickest steering wheel I've ever seen.
Reply
Jung 6:55PM (4/03/2009)
You got that right. I'm pretty sure I won't be able to get my stubby fingers all the way around the grip.
JustB 6:52PM (4/03/2009)
My $20,000 Mitsubish Lancer has those, too bad Porsche can't figure out how to do it. Maybe they should call the Japanese?
Reply
Sandok 6:57PM (4/03/2009)
Actually, EVERYONE does it differently cept Porsche...
So they can call anyone, but I think asking their "owned" company VW for the perfect DSG setup would be wise!
a 7:06PM (4/03/2009)
ya my 7th gen Toyota Celica has it too.
Edmond Dantes 7:01PM (4/03/2009)
I love that wheel.
Reply
Mobius_1 7:40PM (4/03/2009)
Porsche had to leave something to evolve come 998, right?
Reply
Beastage 9:33AM (4/04/2009)
Porsche are the Apple of automobiles :D
Blind Io 7:42PM (4/03/2009)
It's so simple you would think someone at Porsche would have done it already
Reply
zamafir 8:27PM (4/03/2009)
Yup, especially since VW's had this setup for damn near half a decade. At least the wheels thick, I can't stand the stock pos posrche put in the carrera 4 pdk. What's the point of building a car like that when the main bit a driver touches sends econobox shivers down their spine.
Tim 8:25PM (4/03/2009)
Porsche is slipping even further.
They make trucks, stupid-complicated-shifter-thingy steering wheels and bloated GT cars now. 'nuf said.
They peaked with the 1973 911 Carrera RS, then lost their way.
Reply
Mazda FTW! 8:32PM (4/03/2009)
I wouldn't say they have lost their way but they are definitely stagnating. They are so safe rolling out upgrades of the same car (fantastic upgrades, mind you) that it's become a habit. Try something new, Porsche. The 911 shape looks positively boring next to the 8C Competizione and the R8.
Tony 8:26AM (4/05/2009)
As much as I love the Duck-tail too, I wouldn't go so far to say Porsche has gone down hill ever since. Those cars had their very own set of idiosyncrasies that could reach out and hurt you in a big way.
TigerMil 9:36PM (4/03/2009)
So $6K for the wheel and shifter and airbag! Or more with Swarofski crystals?
Reply
feeboo 2:48AM (4/04/2009)
'which' should be 'that'
Reply
JDMlover 9:55AM (4/04/2009)
Sweet. Would love to see how they feel.
Reply
carsteve 1:25PM (4/04/2009)
ugly.
All Porsche needs to do is reverse the directions on their current setup and they're fine. I don't like 1 side for upshift, and 1 side for downshift. The set up with the sport paddles on the BMW 335i is the way to go as far as directional/setup.
Reply
Eric 9:18AM (4/06/2009)
This makes me appreciate the perfection of the wheel in my DSG GTI all that much more. Kudos to VW.
Reply