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.
In This Article...
Back to the Future with ZF’s Porsche DoppelKupplung PDK Transmission…
A dual-clutch transmission’s design dates back to 1935, 84 years ago. Sadly, the transmission was never put into production, but the concept was there and it was written down.
The Porsche 956 and 962 Le Mans racing vehicles from 1983 incorporated Porsche Motorsport’s Porsche-DoppelKupplung PDK (Porsche-dual clutch) technology, which was developed in the early 1980s. The advantage of the PDK transmission at the time was that during endurance races, the driver “could not harm” the transmission by grooving the gears. The balance of benefits to drawbacks was significantly influenced by the added weight and uneven functionality. Even though Porsche won the 1986 World Championship with a Porsche 962 equipped with PDK, the technology became outdated after only a few years.
It took Porsche till 1990 to introduce its Steptronic with a ZF 5HP19 automatic transmission after the first Porsche 64 was released in 1938 with a manual transmission. It was groundbreaking at the time, and tests revealed that 8 out of 10 drivers could accelerate more quickly with the sporty automatic transmission than with a stick shift. I’m grateful, ZF.
Porsche went back to ZF Friedrichshafen in the middle of the 2000s to create a transmission that combines the greatest features of both worlds. The ultimate goal is faster response times, great performance, and cheaper production costs than the automatic.
Using two hydraulic and electrically controlled clutches, similar to those found in automatic gearboxes, gives you the best of both worlds. In a single housing, these clutches function as two manual transmissions. They were able to combine two input shafts by sliding one over the other and transferring significant engine torque, particularly over the hollow secondary input shaft, thanks to modern machining and material hardening. To transfer the energy to the final drive, an output shaft with pinions at either end is connected to the ring gear. The gearbox may engage and disengage the gears via a signal through the regulated solenoid and converted to hydraulic pressure so the transmission can be pre-shifted into the next forthcoming gear by substituting the stick in the cabin with electronically controlled shift forks.
Because the clutches are managed by the computer, the shifts are made at the right moment and with the right amount of pressure for the engine load. Fuel is saved, as well as clutch wear. The transmission moves into an upshift by switching clutches. The transmission’s input shafts are coupled to these clutches. On one shaft, there are first, third, fifth, seventh, and reverse gears; on the other, there are second, fourth, and sixth gears. We can pre-shift the second transmission into second gear when the first gearbox is in drive in order to have two transmissions in one. There is no connection between the second transmission and the engine since the clutch is open. Without disrupting the distribution of torque to the driving road wheels, shifts can be made. by engaging one clutch with the engine’s torque while simultaneously detaching it from the other clutch. DCTs are the quickest-shifting road automobile transmissions now on the market and can shift faster than a professional racing driver because alternate gear ratios can preselect an odd gear on one gear shaft while the vehicle is being driven in an even gear (and vice versa). Upshifts at full speed can occur in as little as 80 ms.
Come hear me speak about the fundamentals of this unique fusion of automatic and manual transmission technology at ATRA’s upcoming Powertrain Expo. The transmissions are made to the highest standards possible.
What is the PDK transmission’s mechanism?
Let’s start by outlining the origin of the PDK letters. It stands for “Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe,” or “Porsche double-clutch transmission,” in German. Thus, the dual-clutch gearbox is the Porsche variant.
A dual-clutch transmission is what? It’s a relatively straightforward gearbox with a layout like a manual transmission, but with two clutches in place of one and electronic management. Even gears are handled by the first clutch, and odd gears by the second. The second clutch also pre-engages the following gear whenever a gear is engaged.
Additionally, you have the option of manually shifting the ratios, as with a manual gearbox, or delegating gear-shifting to the transmission.
What is the Porsche PDK transmission?
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.”
Only Porsche uses PDK?
All 2020 Porsche models with combustion engines have the option of the PDK transmission, with the exception of the Porsche Cayenne, which exclusively receives the Tiptronic transmission. Therefore, the 7-speed PDK is available for the 718, 911, Panamera, and Macan as well. On the majority of those vehicles, purchasers can choose a 6-speed manual however.
Who manufactures Porsche gearboxes?
In actuality, Porsche and German firm ZF collaborated to design the 7-speed PDK system. This innovative system enables very smooth gear shifting and no power losses by operating in both manual and automatic modes.
Is Porsche PDK equivalent to DSG?
The DSG differs from the PDK in that it has a dry clutch technology as opposed to a wet clutch system. The BorgWarner DSG was developed many years before the PDK. Both my Macan Turbo and my 911 GTS are equipped with the PDK. Both are incredibly speedy and seamlessly functional.
Porsche PDK transmission quality: how good?
The PDK transmission was created to provide quicker shifts for Porsche race cars. Drivers would have speedier lap times if the transmission made shifts more quickly. Up to 75% of drivers order their Porsche with the PDK transmission since it is now preferred by most drivers over the regular transmission.
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.
Why Porsche PDK is so effective
Although the PDK transmission was first designed for racing, it also has a lot of other benefits. It is simpler to operate during routine drives because there is no clutch to engage, and it even has an automatic mode. Additional benefits include: the fastest acceleration feasible
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.
Is PDK the best dual clutch available?
1. PDK is quicker The double clutch used by Porsche (literally translated as “doppelkupplung”) A gearbox’s ability to change gears in under 100 milliseconds