Skip advert
Advertisement
Tips & advice

What is Porsche PDK?

It’s more than just an automatic, but what is Porsche’s PDK gearbox and how does it work?

Porsche 911 Carrera 4 - Coupe and Cabriolet static

If you are thinking about buying a new or used Porsche, or if if you are just a fan of the brand, you may have seen the letters PDK appearing in the specification of a particular car and wondered what it stood for.

Put simply, PDK means a dual-clutch automatic gearbox; the name comes from the German ‘Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe’ which translates as Porsche dual-clutch gearbox.

Advertisement - Article continues below

• DSG: what is a Direct Shift Gearbox?

The PDK system has largely replaced the conventional Tiptronic gearbox across the Porsche range since it was first introduced in 2007, although the current and previous generation Cayenne models still use a conventional automatic gearbox.

The basic principles of PDK are the same as with most dual-clutch gearboxes in that they have two clutches and, in essence, two gearboxes combined into one casing. One clutch operates on first, third, fifth, seventh and reverse gears, with the second clutch managing second, fourth and sixth gears. 

Porsche originally trialled the technology in the 1960s and fitted it to its dominant 962 Group C racing cars, but it took another two decades of development before it was deemed fit for use in production road cars.

Porsche 911 Carrera 4 - interior

What this means is that, unlike a manual gearbox, when one gear disengages the next is engaged so quickly that the interruption in power is almost imperceptible, with shift times of under 100 milliseconds. This also improves acceleration times, as a 718 Cayman with a manual gearbox takes 5.3 seconds to reach 62mph from rest, whereas a PDK-equipped car can achieve the same sprint in 4.9 seconds - add the Sport Chrono package with launch control and this is further cut to 4.7 seconds.

The rapid and near-seamless shift speed boosts comfort as well as performance, with ultra-smooth shifting when the gearbox is left in fully automatic mode. 

Conversely, all PDK models are fitted with paddle shifters or buttons that allow drivers to take control of shifting themselves, and here the speed of shift means sharp responses to the driver’s inputs.

Porsche Taycan Turbo S review

A further bonus with PDK is efficiency. Although the more complex gearbox weighs around 30kg more than an equivalent manual, the overall efficiency of the transmission is improved. As an example, the manual 718 Cayman claims a maximum WLTP combined consumption of 32.8mpg, compared to 33.2mpg for the PDK-equipped model.

Have you used Porsche's PDK gearbox? Let us know in the comments below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Brexit benefit: Porsche Boxster and Cayman axed in Europe, but survive in the UK!
Porsche 718 Cayman GTS - front cornering
News

Brexit benefit: Porsche Boxster and Cayman axed in Europe, but survive in the UK!

Cybersecurity regulations mean the Porsche 718-generation sports cars will be killed-off this year on the continent
27 Mar 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024 - header image
Best cars & vans

Best new cars coming in 2024

There are some big new models from the likes of BMW, Citroen, Dacia, Ford, MINI, Skoda and more on the way in 2024
12 Mar 2024
New Apple CarPlay plans to take over the car in 2024
Apple CarPlay Porsche 2024
News

New Apple CarPlay plans to take over the car in 2024

Increased integration will allow Apple CarPlay users to control more in-car functions, such as heating and ventilation settings
20 Dec 2023
Everrati has just made an all-electric Porsche 911 RSR
Everrati Porsche 911 RSR - front
News

Everrati has just made an all-electric Porsche 911 RSR

EV homage of ultra-rare Porsche will do over 200 miles on a charge and 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds
19 Dec 2023

Most Popular

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars will now pay £10 more per year, although the biggest gas guzzlers fare even worse
28 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Car Deal of the Day: updated Skoda Enyaq at 0% APR and a free home wallbox charger thrown in
Skoda Enyaq iV - front cornering
News

Car Deal of the Day: updated Skoda Enyaq at 0% APR and a free home wallbox charger thrown in

Skoda’s family-friendly EV with 348-mile range is our Car Deal of the Day for 26 March
26 Mar 2024