Dingdongler

No.

You said that (IF) Porsche put a SEMI automatic gearbox into what could well be one of their most driver focused cars ever it would be because they are pandering to people who can't drive rather than it being the right technology for this day and age.

I stated that semi auto gearboxes are used by F1 drivers in their cars and I'll think we'll all agree that they can drive better than you.

You then went on to tell me when your Datsun is next due for a service, I don't know why. To confuse matters further you have randomly brought the GTR into the equation when the car being discussed was a Porsche.

I have no idea what you are gibber gabbering on about mate but I suspect it has little to do with the original topic

stilover

Is it the "Right" Technology for this day & age? Really?

A Group N Rally Drivers can drive better than me. Don't they use Manual Gearboxes?

alloy

I don't see what the big deal is here, it is purely down to the drivers choice.

Manual arguably is more "involving", why i don't know as there is only the addition of a clutch pedal and a different motion to shifting gear, all the BS about feeling part of the car is well just that BS. IMO semi auto allows the driver to change at his leisure, as per a manual, only the driver benefits from WOT seemless gearchanges which are much quicker than a manual, in the case of turbo applications no boost is lost on gear change either. Most race cars use a sequential gearbox, whilst different to a semi auto falppy paddle the premise is pretty similar, straight through clutchless process of gears....

Each to their own, while GTR has been brought up i'm sure i read somewhere a while back that in R mode it changes gear in 0.18secs.....

Matteeboy

A good auto/semi auto allows you to concentrate more on the other elements of driving quickly.

While mine is a million miles from a PDK or GT-R box, it's still a decent "sporty" box and means my hands don't come off the wheel so more concentration on steering, braking and a accelerating.

Good manuals are obviously things of joy but something that has surprised me in a number of quick manuals cars is that the gear lever isn't that well positioned leading to slower changes right when you need them to be quick.

One benefit of the 6 speed manual box in the Landy though - your left arm gets a hell of a workout changing cogs!

Trout

iTrader: (1)

So if I read you correctly - it is driver's choice, each to their own. But if you choose a manual it is BS.

Well, that's clear then

alloy

I'm happy to live and let live, but that doesn't stop me having an opinion.....

Just sick of old farts with their flat caps saying that becuase they shift gears like they did in the old century they maximise their driving experience......welcome to 2011 come join the revolution

Trout

iTrader: (1)

There is nothing like double-declutching...

...or using heel toe to get you smoothly into the corner as you change down.

Anyway, off to brush bits of countryside out of my flat cap.

It is interesting that Porsche's most desirable models to date are all manuals.

alloy

Not really, a company that hasn't changed the basic design of the car since 1964 are seemingly lacking in motivation to implement change to their formula.....look at the whole range they all look the same, again those germans dont like change.....stuck in their ways, the dark ages

Trout

iTrader: (1)

You have fallen head first into the bear trap.

Porsche's most popular (not desirable - I worded that carefully) 911s have been Tiptronic (which was awful) or PDK for years now.

Indeed, I think they invented some of this stuff, years before others.

alloy

Porsche Automobile Holding reported group profit after tax of 1.29 billion euros for the short fiscal year 2010 from August 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010. Porsche SE's total profit from investments accounted for at equity in the short fiscal year totaled 1.075 billion euros.

For a car manufacturer, making over 80% of its profit from investments, no wonder they are so lack luster in their efforts to produce innovative cars and instead choose to recycle the same shell and tell the same old story

Trout

iTrader: (1)

Wow - a car company that can sell performance cars at a profit.

Not like one of these innovative manufacturers that has to rape every hatchback sale they make to subsidise some glorified marquee model

alloy

Correct me if i'm wrong but the CGT is a manual as well isn't it? But the GT1, i appreciate a little more extreme, is sequential?

alloy

You miss the point, it opperates at a profit on their auto sales becasue its economies of scale are massive with the line up being so homogeneous. The majority of their demand is for the Cayenne and the Panamera, god only knows why . The VW merger later in the year will be an interesting development and may give rise to more cross margue development like with Lambo....the vast majority of their profit is nothing to do with their car sales and everything to do with their skill in financial services!

Don't get me wrong i love porsche as a company, their branding is exceptionally strong, i own stock in them as of this week and the irony is my next motor is likely to be from their stable. However there is something about the company that grinds my gears .

Trout

iTrader: (1)

No, I do did get your point.

Maybe you missed mine that the GT-R could not exist without massive subsidy from the parent company.

Maybe with VW, Porsche can subsidise their models and make them cheaper

Trout

iTrader: (1)

GT1 is a road legal race car.

The CGT was always a road car.

tony de wonderful

Using a manual properly takes skill.

We are talking double clutching not granny shifting!

Semi-auto is for wannabes....ask any Racer....any real Racer.

alloy

So VW didnt sub the Veyron? These companies make decisions regarding sacrificing profit margin for goodwill i.e. elevated brand presence but they do so knowing full well what their downside risk is....thats just business....

Trout

iTrader: (1)

The main changes are that Porsche now has a series of execs in charge that are from Audi.

God help us - Audi's ability to consistently make performance cars is questionable to say the least!

Trout

iTrader: (1)

Is the Veyron a Porsche?



















Errrr....no.

Trout

iTrader: (1)

It's about markets.

India, China, Eastern Europe and South America do not have such good roads as the West and so 911s and Boxsters just don't cut it.

Also, it is easier to armour plate a Panamera or Cayenne and have a chauffeur

Trout

iTrader: (1)

And you are deliberately missing my point that Porsche has turned it's brand premium into actual profit.

Indeed, too much, and when they tried to cleverly buy VW with it, they ended up being owned by them!

alloy

So in this vain can we read that Porsche see the sequential, seemless, clutchless gearbox as more efficient and faster for "track application" and the manual more as a driving pleasure for the old boy who likes a tootle out on a sunday afternoon?

Trout

iTrader: (1)

Are we on the North Circular, South Circular, Bullring or M25 here?

Just checking as I do believe we have gone full circle

alloy

I'm fully aware of this, Porsche is a great company.......they never set out or at least they have denied they ever wanted to take out VW, and this topic is going into a whole new realm of complicated discussion.....

Shall we just race to settle this then Trout??

Matteeboy

Trout

iTrader: (1)

He started it!

trails

iTrader: (41)

you both have very nice cars...I'd like either or preferable both, now quit your bickering

Trout

iTrader: (1)

That's no fun - I need a distraction whilst watching England's terrible performance against the West Indies!


Anyway I am not bickering - I am merely stating a series of facts

trails

iTrader: (41)

Pfffftttt...sounds more like Mr Forrest has loaned you his spoon

alloy

Is that a no then.....