Quote:
Originally Posted by Perfectlap
very interesting. I guess it makes sense to me looking back now at the first PDK's which had a very distinct "lag". It was addressed in the S models for some cars where I believe drivers, Cayman S specifically, reported that the gear change was much prompter. I guess you could say that lag highlighted the dynamic, as you point out, of the driver "requesting" the shift, the computer mulling it over, and then obliging the human a delayed shift. Wholly unacceptable in a sports car imho. Since then, PDK apparently has been refined to the point where you've been duped into believing that you are actually shifting the gear because the computer is much better at creating that "virtual reality" of sorts. Purely mechanical vs. automated.
Thanks for illustrating this big change in driving that few have really fully considered.
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After driving a 2012 Panamera with PDK on a number of occasions, I can tell you that it is faster than any human could ever be.Think simi-auto vs bolt action. My biggest complaint is that 1st is so short on the 7 spd that the driver has to ultra quick on the up-shift to avoid bouncing repeatedly against the rev limiter. It is much like shifting a sport bike, except that every down shift is perfectly rev matched for for smooth and instant engagement. If maximum performance is the goal, there is no question that PDK is superior. If maximum fun is the goal, I'm still a fan of a traditional manual tranny but it's close. On the one hand, PDK is very gratifying in that you can accomplish things that you can't with a traditional manual (like up-shifting at 6000rpm in the middle of a power-slide)...on the other hand, a well executed heel & toe at the right time is gratifying in that you know you and you alone are driving the car well.