The Porsche double-clutch transmission, or PDK—acronym for Porsche Doppel Kupplungsgetriebe—is a cutting-edge transmission that modifies how you drive a Porsche. How does it function? Wet-clutch packs that are hydraulically activated and encircled by one another are used in PDK gearboxes.
In This Article...
The Porsche PDK transmission is more than simply an automatic, but what exactly is it and how does it operate?
You might have noticed the initials PDK in the specifications of a certain automobile and wondered what they stood for if you were considering buying a new or used Porsche or if you are just a fan of the brand.
The word Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe, which translates as Porsche dual-clutch gearbox, derives from the German and stands for a dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
Since its debut in 2007, the PDK system has essentially taken the role of the traditional Tiptronic gearbox across the Porsche lineup, while the current and prior generation Cayenne models continue to use a normal automatic gearbox.
As most dual-clutch gearboxes have two clutches and, in essence, two gearboxes merged into one casing, the basic operating principles of PDK are the same as those of most dual-clutch gearboxes. First, third, fifth, seventh, and reverse gears are controlled by one clutch, while second, fourth, and sixth gears are controlled by the second clutch.
The technology was first tested by Porsche in the 1960s and installed in its successful 962 Group C racing cars, but it took another two decades of development before it was approved for use in mass-produced road vehicles.
This implies that, unlike a manual gearbox, shift times are less than 100 milliseconds, and the next gear engages so quickly that the loss of power is practically undetectable. A 718 Cayman with a manual transmission needs 5.3 seconds to accelerate to 62 mph, whereas a vehicle with a PDK can complete the same sprint in 4.9 seconds. When you add the Sport Chrono package with launch control, this time is further reduced to 4.7 seconds.
When the gearbox is left in completely automated mode, the quick and nearly seamless change speed improves performance as well as comfort.
On the other hand, all PDK vehicles are equipped with paddle shifters or buttons that let drivers handle their own shifting. In this case, the speed of the shift means that the vehicle will react quickly to the driver’s inputs.
Efficiency with PDK is an additional benefit. Although the more complicated gearbox weighs around 30 kg more than a comparable manual, the transmission’s overall effectiveness is increased. In contrast to the 33.2mpg claimed for the PDK-equipped model, the manual 718 Cayman boasts a maximum WLTP combined consumption of 32.8mpg.
A PDK transmission is what? Autoweek clarifies
In the past ten years, if you’ve read about, looked at, or driven a Porsche, you’ve probably heard of the company’s PDK dual-clutch transmission. It shifts more quickly than other transmissions, has a launch control mechanism, and, most of all, never needs a new clutch. However, what precisely is PDK and how does it operate?
Porsche Doppel Kupplungs getriebe, or Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe, is referred to as PDK and stands for Porsche double-clutch transmission. It is, as its name implies, a dual-clutch gearbox (DCT) made by Porsche, and it functions essentially in the same way as other DCTs currently available.
A PDK can be compared to a seven-person Olympic relay team. The baton is effectively passed instantly with no loss of speed since by the time one runner is getting close to the end of his stint, another has already started and is up to speed. The oil-soaked wet-clutches don’t overheat or tire out under stress, exactly like perfectly fed and hydrated sportsmen. That is how Porsche uses launch control to prevent part damage. To deliver the most torque to the wheels without spinning them, rev the engine to a high power point and slip the clutches. It works amazingly well.
With PDKs, you cannot rationally disagree. However, fanatics seek more than just the goal. Therefore, we resisted the tendency and, at least in the instance of the GT3, prevailed. Why? As Lingeman noted in his evaluation of the 911 GT3, “Despite my love of lap speeds, I would still choose the free 6MT option. Simply said, it seems right.”
data on consumption
There was a significant uproar. When Porsche originally introduced the 911 with a Sportomatic semiautomatic transmission in 1967, the trade press was as dubious as brand aficionados who were devout to the cause. Even the most quiet Porsche enthusiasts expressed their alarm. The clutch pedal was removed in order to increase the comfort of the vehicle. Comfort? in a sporty vehicle? A further two seconds longer from 0 to 100 km/h than with manual transmission? As if all of that weren’t enough, it also used more fuel. It goes without saying that the Sportomatic package did not have a great sales performance.
Step forward fifty years. Due to the Porsche dual-clutch transmission, the initial criticism against the supposed incompatibility of sportiness with automated technology had largely subsided by this point (PDK). The first tests of the new technology, which began in 1980, concluded in a significant accomplishment in 1986.
The PDK gets its name from the way the gears are apportioned across the two distinct clutches. While the even gears are connected to clutch II, the odd gears and reverse are connected to clutch I. Fully automatic gear changes are now possible without losing traction thanks to technology. Similar to a manual shifter, the PDK system uses computer-assisted electrohydraulics to select the different gears; nonetheless, shift forks are still used. An amalgam of manual and automatic shifting is the end outcome. In the PDK, efficiency, dynamics, and comfort are combined in a way that is unmatched.
Despite the PDK system’s widespread use, it was initially only employed in the motorsports industry after its launch in 1983. This transmission type has a number of benefits, especially when used with turbocharged engines. Unlike with a manual transmission, drivers can maintain full throttle throughout gear changes, maintaining the turbocharger’s charge pressure. stoppage of the motion? Not even close.
However, the start of series production took some time. Several stages of development required to be completed on the control electronics first. Above all, the new technology had to become used to not abruptly changing gears.
Porsche began offering an optional PDK in the 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera S in 2008.
The Panamera model lineup’s world debut a year later marked the milestone. The four-door sport sedan made history in 2009 when the PDK I, a standard seven-speed PDK, was introduced in numerous models. The eight-speed PDK II has been the only transmission option for the Porsche Panamera since 2016. Additionally, the Porsche 911’s PDK has eight speeds. In fact, compared to 1967, automated gearboxes are becoming more and more popular among Porsche drivers.
When did Porsche PDK start to excel?
First PDK for sports cars debuted in the 911 Carrera in 2008. The PDK was able to change speeds up to 60% faster than an automatic gearbox right away. It made gear changes easier to do without losing any propulsion and used less gasoline.
Porsche PDK transmissions are produced by whom?
Porsche transmissions with two clutches. A form of semi-automatic gearbox called an electrohydraulic sequential manual transmission is made to give quick, easy shifting, which improves the skills of the typical driver. The automatic clutch in this concept is managed by hydraulic solenoids and vehicle electronics. In contrast to a conventional manual transmission, car electronics and engine management systems perfectly match engine RPMs to produce a smoother and faster shifting procedure. The technology automatically engages the clutch and regulates the throttle to match engine speed once the driver picks the desired gear with a shift lever or paddle.
Together with ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Porsche developed the PDK transmission, which includes both manual and automatic modes of operation. The PDK transmission offers exceptionally smooth gear changes and reliable power, just like other Electrohydraulic manual transmissions.
A particular kind of semi-automatic transmission is a dual-clutch one, such the Porsche PDK transmission (also referred to as an automated manual transmission). For odd and even gear sets, this gearbox is intended to employ two independent clutches. The complete range of the gearbox may be shifted quickly and smoothly thanks to this design. The transmission can work in an automatic mode and give more quick shifting than a driver can usually do manually thanks to the usage of electrohydraulics.
You can think of the Porsche PDK transmission as two half-gearboxes that have been combined into a single housing. Two clutches are needed to drive two input shafts due to the design’s reliance on two half gearboxes. While the other half of the transmission chooses the following gear in the sequence, the engine power is transferred from one of the input shafts via that half of the transmission. With first, third, fifth, and seventh on one shaft and second, fourth, and sixth on the other, the Porsche PDK transmission has seven forward speeds in addition to reverse. One clutch opens and the other closes simultaneously during shifting, making the process more fluid. A few hundredths of a second are required for this process.
The 997 Carrera and Carrera S, as well as the Cayman and Boxter, were the first vehicles to feature the PDK transmission, which was first launched in 2009. The shifting performance and overall fuel efficiency of modern models have undergone significant upgrades.
Numerous engine and power-train improvements have been made in Germany over the last ten years. Please visit our website’s technical advice area for further information in detail.
Do you have a query regarding your high-end car or does your model require specific maintenance? One of our specialists will respond to your question if you use the comment section below on our German Auto Center Facebook page. Len Gilmore is the owner and operator of German Auto Center.
Is the Porsche PDK superior to the manual?
For the fastest lap times on Los Angeles track days, the Porsche PDK offers quicker acceleration and immediate reaction as compared to manual transmissions. Although the PDK transmission was first designed for racing, it also has a lot of other benefits.
How quickly can the Porsche PDK shift?
Faster gear changes were possible with the PDK as early as generation 1. The optional PDK transmission, which was first offered in 2008 for the Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera S, moved up to 60% faster and with no loss of traction than the standard Tiptronic S automatic transmission, which was ten kilograms heavier. Naturally, acceleration was affected. In Sport Plus Mode, the 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera with a seven-speed PDK shifted 0.4 seconds more quickly than the one with a manual six-speed transmission. It translated to 4.6 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h for the 2008 all-wheel-drive 911 Carrera 4 as opposed to 5.0 seconds for the PDK.
The current 911 Carrera 4S is a perfect example of how much Porsche has improved its dual-clutch transmission over the years. Now that eight-speed PDK transmissions are standard, gear changes happen in milliseconds. As a result, the sports vehicle accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, and in just 3.4 seconds when the Sport Chrono package is included. That would be impossible in a car with a manual transmission.
The Porsche PDK transmission is dependable, right?
Compared to other dual-clutch gearboxes, the PDK transmission is relatively dependable, but its service life is mostly dependent on regular maintenance and adherence to the manufacturer’s operating guidelines.
How is the PDK put to use?
However, what is PDK and how does it function? The PDK gets its name from the way the gears are apportioned across the two distinct clutches. While the even gears are connected to clutch II, the odd gears and reverse are connected to clutch I. Fully automatic gear changes are possible thanks to the technology without losing traction.