The new Boxster - the triumph of technology over skill?

[bar10dah]

I got a wrench to throw into the works!

The next time you, or your wife/kids, fly commercial... do you want them flying in a plane with simple controls from a 1940s Cub? Or the automation of a modern aircraft?

But really, it's all about the tools. We should be able to choose what tools we want and what we don't want. From what I've been reading in the current Porsche rags, the hardcore racing heritage Porsche drivers don't mind the modern electronics in Porsches, just as long as it's an option and they can opt-out.

[ekam]

Originally Posted by bar10dah

The next time you, or your wife/kids, fly commercial... do you want them flying in a plane with simple controls from a 1940s Cub? Or the automation of a modern aircraft?

I was flying in an Avro Lancaster 2 years ago, and I had a chance to chat with the pilot who is a commercial pilot for Air Canada.

He tells me he will take the Lanc every. single. time if he chooses between that and a commercial airliner. You had to literally fly that damn plane, like you know, a real pilot.

Talk about feeling the soul of an airplane...

[jaykay]

I am all for present and "engaged" driving with limited crutches. Skill mastery and involvement is where the fun interest and fascination is. Even sound and smell are key to a driving experience...it will be a sad day when there is no exhaust note talking back to you.

I fear that PDK will removed a little too much of the involvement; but certainly there skill involved, perhaps a new skill in place of the old...left foot breaking. I am pretty sure a fair bit of PDK speed will come from guys riding the brakes, blazing into a corner hard on the left foot...ceramic/or? rotors will become a major track item....perhaps

[pothole]

Agree entirely. PDK totally kills the driving experience.

However, it does allow unskilled drivers to jumo in a sports car and ping up and down the gearbox like a pro. So commercially, it's a no brainer - most people love PDK.

So long as they keep doing the manual, let them have PDK. Only problem is that the 991's manual gearbox is compromised by being based on the PDK box. So they is a downside to this new tech, even if you don't opt for it.

At least the 981 has the proper manual carried over from the 987.

[Ghostrider 310]

Originally Posted by pothole

Agree entirely. PDK totally kills the driving experience.

However, it does allow unskilled drivers to jumo in a sports car and ping up and down the gearbox like a pro. So commercially, it's a no brainer - most people love PDK.

So long as they keep doing the manual, let them have PDK. Only problem is that the 991's manual gearbox is compromised by being based on the PDK box. So they is a downside to this new tech, even if you don't opt for it.

At least the 981 has the proper manual carried over from the 987.

Yup, which would always be accomplished in front of your 986, I wonder if the Ferrari drivers that use it in races feel that way?

[pothole]

Ummm, what?

[JTP]

Originally Posted by ekam

I was flying in an Avro Lancaster 2 years ago, and I had a chance to chat with the pilot who is a commercial pilot for Air Canada.

He tells me he will take the Lanc every. single. time if he chooses between that and a commercial airliner. You had to literally fly that damn plane, like you know, a real pilot.

Talk about feeling the soul of an airplane...

Interesting input from the pilot. I flew UAVs in the military and over 90% of the human factor was removed with minimal input from the operator, flying a mission is now completely safe for the pilot but if I had the chance to fly my missions in a "real" plane I would have taken my chances in it.

I'll drive a manual transmission over any Tip or PDK any day. I know the PDK is faster and more economical but to me the enjoyment is in the process of driving and not just the end result of performance numbers. Automation and system control logic gives us many things, especially safety but I fear we may be losing more than we realize.

[Ghostrider 310]

I fear we may be losing more than we realize.



I've read a lot of the same worries about cursive writing, there are few cash register employees who know what counting change back means or why you gave them $5.25 for a $5.22 tab. Everything changes nothing is static, manual box is awesome and according to a yahoo story making a resurgence. PDK is a lot more fun than ANY other selected manual I have driven, my mom's subie has a tip style box too, worlds apart from the Boxster.

[shadrach74]

Originally Posted by bar10dah

I got a wrench to throw into the works!

The next time you, or your wife/kids, fly commercial... do you want them flying in a plane with simple controls from a 1940s Cub? Or the automation of a modern aircraft?

But really, it's all about the tools. We should be able to choose what tools we want and what we don't want. From what I've been reading in the current Porsche rags, the hardcore racing heritage Porsche drivers don't mind the modern electronics in Porsches, just as long as it's an option and they can opt-out.

If the pilots of Air France FLT 447 had spent more time in a 40's era aircraft, they'd have not ended up riding a stalled aircraft into the sea killing 216 passengers. That is a notable example of users focusing on technology rather than skill. Dreadful outcome due to a technological malfunction an out come that could have been avoided using basic aeronautical concepts learned in private pilot training...

I see the same thing happening as personal aircraft become more technologically advanced, safety improves statistically, but skill sets atrophy as technology is increasingly relied upon. Most pilots I know are heavily dependent on GPS. Their ability to use other navaids and or dead reckoning has suffered as a result.

There's a balance, and each technological advance must be analyzed on it's own merits...

[firstporsche]

I went to the Porsche World Road Show on 6/8/12 at Monticello Car Club Racetrack. We drove the new 2012: 911, 911s, Boxster S, Cayenne, and Panamera. All of them had PDK.

Although I can really appreciate the PDK for what it does and how well it does it (i.e. excellently), I still have a fondness and preference for the manual gearbox in my 2002 Boxster. I have no doubt that the PDK is faster than I am, but for me, shifting is a great part of the fun and experience of driving.

The new Boxster S is amazing, though. A little longer, a little wider stance, and lots more power. Still a VERY nimble and agile sports car ... but then, so is mine.

[RobbieKnobbie]

All the electronic bells and whistles in the world wont put you on the right line through a corner. Nor will they compensate for the lost momentum coming out of it.