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December 06, 2008

Porsche 911

2009 Porsche 911 S Convertible PDK Front Three Quarters View

First Test: 2009 Porsche 911 S Convertible PDK

Now With PDK - As in Pretty Damn, er ... Kwik
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By Angus MacKenzie
Photography by Brian Vance


Trivia alert: Porsche did not invent the dual-clutch transmission. A French engineer, Adolphe Kegresse, who pioneered the half-track vehicle, envisioned the concept in the 1920s and 30s. Porsche did, however, become the first automaker to develop a working dual-clutch tranny, the PDK (Porsche Dopplkupplung), which it fitted to its 962 group C sports racers in 1985 and 86.

That original PDK transmission was heavy and not entirely reliable. But it's still difficult to explain why one of the technology's pioneers has been beaten to the punch by the likes of VW, Mitsubishi, and Nissan when it comes to putting a fast-shifting dual-clutch transmission in a road car. The good news is Porsche's new seven-speed PDK has been worth the wait. It is -- mostly -- sensational.


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