Shifty Turbo Is No More

The Next 911 Turbo May Be Automatic

Although this is really going to upset some people who prefer their sports cars to be manual, there is a good chance that the new 911 Turbo is going to have an automatic transmission, specifically the PDK transmission to be exact.

The 911 GT3 has always been the nostalgic racer's go to car, and now that it has switched over to an automatic transmission, there's really no reason to believe that the 911 Turbo isn't going to go the same direction. Instead of keeping both transmission options open like Porsche normally does, it is rumored that they are going to drop the manual option all together, and you will be stuck with an automatic whether you like it or not.

Why they are Making the Switch

Although it probably hurts to hear, the PDK is a superior transmission to manually shifting through the gears. Thanks to the double clutch the car can shift itself through the gears faster than a human can, which means that you are going to get a better response out of the car. This means the car will accelerate faster, and ultimately it is going to perform better on the track.

Another advantage of this gear system is that it reduces overall fuel consumption, which is something that all car manufacturers are looking at these days. With all of these reasons to go with the PDK it shouldn't be a surprise that they have made it mandatory.

The last reason that they have decided to take away the manual option is to undoubtedly save development time and money. Now they only have to configure the car to deal with a single transmission, which means less work for them, while bringing in the same level of profits as before. Even still, the move is good for just about everyone in the end.

Those Who Will Appreciate the Switch

Even though there are plenty of people who are appalled at the move that Porsche is making with their sports cars, there are just as many people who are singing their praises about the switch. Not only does the car perform better, which is enough to gain the praise of many people, but it will also be easier to drive for those who aren't great with a manual transmission. Sure there is less involvement, but that also means there is no reason to worry about stalling the vehicle, and everyone can drive their vehicles smoothly without worry.

Overall, even though some people are upset with the loss of a manual option the 2014 911 Turbo looks to be an exceptional car. It will come standard with more than 520 horsepower at your disposal. The car tops out at around 196 miles per hour, and with that level of power and luxury it should be no surprise that the basic model is coming in at $149,000 and the luxury model will be closer to $180,000 to own. It is certainly going to be a welcome addition to the ranks of the 911's of the past, but it is too bad there won't be a manual transmission option like always.

History Of Porsche Racing

The Porsche 911 Represents the Company’s Evolution through Racing

With a lifespan of over 50 years, the Porsche 911 has evolved arguably more than any other car model out there. By following the evolution of the 911 you get a clear picture of how racing has evolved, and how Porsche has evolved in general. 911’s are still around today and they have been being produced in one variation or another since 1963. From their original inception they have been modified to use in various races by both Porsche teams and private teams as well.

Porsche continually works to improve upon past models of their vehicles, and they have always fought to stay on the forefront of car technology. All of the successes that the 911 cars have had in racing proves that Porsche values innovation, and creating the best possible product, after all private teams line up to buy cars from Porsche that they will use to win some of the most competitive races on the planet.

The Early Years

The very first 911 was created as a power upgrade to the original Porsche 356. The basic idea of the car was a sports car version of the Beetle. The original 911 was innovative at the time because its engine was mounted in the rear of the car and it was air-cooled for improved performance. The flat-6 engine was in the “boxer” configuration just like the Porsche 356, but it had 6 cylinders instead of 4. This initial 911 only had 120 horsepower, but that didn't people from racing it, and it was seen as a powerhouse of the day.

The 911 in Racing

The Porsche 911 has always been thought of as a race car  that is also a consumer product. Many of the adjustments that were made to the 911 were due to racing restrictions that required the car to be changed around, and others were due to technological advancements that were incorporated into newer models.

Porsche Racing

The 911 Carrera RSR 3.0

The 911 Carrera RSR 3.0 was sold off to several different racing teams throughout the 1970’s and those cars were used to win several racing events. These vehicles were able to take home the victory in the Targa Florio, and the Daytona, Sebring and Nurburgring racing events.

The RSR Turbo Prototype

The RSR Turbo prototype nearly took first place at the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in 1974 but they ended up in second place. This same prototype was used to win many of the other major races throughout the year as well.

Porsche Calgary

The 911 GT1 was developed in 1996 in order to be able to compete in the GT1 Le Mans class. This car is thought to be one of the most powerful road-racing Porsches ever created. It has a total 700 horsepower, can go from 0 to 60 in 3.3 seconds and tops out at 235 mph. The engine utilizes twin-turbo charging in order to create its immense power. This same model won Le Mans in 1998 in an impressive display of power. In order for the car to be entered, there had to be a minimum of 25 of the cars created, so Porsche had 25 created and entered into the race.

Private Racers

After being tested out by one of the official Porsche racing teams, most of the 911 models are sold to private consumers who often use them in races themselves. Many of the victories using Porsche 911 models were achieved by private teams who bought the vehicles off of Porsche after the initial trial period.

Porsche has gone on the record saying that they only participate in races in order to gain the engineering knowledge that it offers to improve their vehicles. By selling off all of the vehicles to potential competition they prove that they aren't interested in the win, nearly as much as they are interested in advancing their technology.

The Porsche 911 is still being developed today, and there are plenty of private clubs that have 911 races on a regular basis. New variations of the 911 are bound to continue being entered into races as time goes by, and the 911 may last as long as Porsche does, since it is still purchased heavily today.