All of Porsche’s mid-engined flat-six variants are now available with a dual-clutch ’box
Porsche has announced that all of its mid-engined 718 models fitted with a flat-six engine – that’s 718 Cayman GT4, 718 Boxster Spyder, and the GTS 4.0 variants of both Cayman and Boxster – are now available with a seven-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission as an alternative to the standard six-speed manual.
The engine is unchanged in all four variants, but thanks to the seamless upshifts and shorter gear ratios of PDK, performance is up across the board. The 414bhp Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder both reach 100kph in 3.9sec with PDK, 0.5sec faster than the traditional manual, while the 0-200kph time is down 0.4sec at 13.4sec.
The 395bhp Boxster and Cayman GTS 4.0 reach the 100kph benchmark in 4.0sec, which is half a second quicker than their manual counterparts, and eventually go on to 200kph in 13.7sec, again 0.4sec faster.
Fuel consumption ratings are also improved compared to the manual, due in most part to the extra gear ratio, with both GTS models hitting a WLTP figure of 10L/100km, 134.5L/100km better, while the GT4/Spyder pair are rated at 10.7L/100km, an 403.5L/100km improvement compared to the manual.
Porsche’s engineers have also adjusted the rear locking differential on GT4 and Spyder models when fitted with PDK, increasing locking values from 22 and 27 percent respectively with the manual to 30 and 37 percent. This further improves traction both in a straight line and when steering lock is applied.
While the PDK is standard-fit across the 911 Carrera and Targa line-up, with a manual transmission a no-cost option on some variants, in the 718 range PDK is still a cost option, adding $3060 for the GTS and $2600 to the GT4/Spyder.
This article originally appeared at evo.co.uk
Copyright © evo UK, Dennis Publishing
