New Porsche GT3 Won't Get a Dual-Clutch Transmission

Colum Wood
by Colum Wood

Despite reports to the contrary, the next iteration of the Porsche GT3 will not get a dual-clutch PDK transmission. This news comes direct from Porsche CEO Matthias Muller in a recent interview with Motor Trend.

According to the earlier info the 991 GT3 was set to receive a new PDK-S unit that would be lighter than the current version used, making it more suitable for the track-capable street car. The issue of whether or not a dual-clutch “automatic” is appropriate for a purists car like the GT3 seems to now be solved. This move comes as somewhat of a surprise as one of Porsche’s main goals with the new 911 was to make it a nicer (read: more comfortable) driving experience. And a dual-clutch unit would certainly make the GT3 more accessible to a new group of buyers – even if it’s seen as the worst thing since the Cayenne by the Porsche faithful.

It goes without saying that eventually the GT3 will get a dual-clutch transmission, although the good news is Porsche certainly isn’t ready to give up on the stick-shift just yet. With a new 7-speed unit developed for the 2012 911 (above), Muller comments that as long as customers demand a stick shift, Porsche will deliver.

GALLERY: 2012 Porsche 911

[Source: MotorTrend]

Colum Wood
Colum Wood

With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.

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  • Gerald Gerald on Jan 06, 2012

    How do i get a dual-clutch "automatic" on an existing gt3?

  • Rick944turbo Rick944turbo on Apr 05, 2012

    Well I am a Porsche guy,owned 3 porsches with the GT3 my next purchase as long as it has a stick shift. However it will probably not be the new 2012 4inch longer redesigned one. I went and looked at it. It is amazing how something that is perfect can be screwed up with a model change. They moved the windshiel post and made the flat front look like a frog faced platapus. The prior Porsche GT3 RS was a work of art. Way to go Porsche screw up a good thing. I will probbly purchase a 2011 or earlier to have a really sporty car. Porsche seems to be leaving the sport arena for old lazy people with tons of money which is probaly their only salvation but they did not have a problem selling the GT3 4.0, so why not leave it alone and let the public know next time whats for sale so we can get one to.

    • Teila Teila on Oct 14, 2014

      Good thing Porsche woke up and smelled the coffee. A manual shifter doesn't cut it on the track if the GT3 is supposed to be a track car (we all know that), unless your point is to drive around the track beaming with nostalgia instead of trying to manage faster lap times. I think most people want that faster lap times, and although I love the old Porsche shifters, I'd much rather have a dual clutch paddle shifter.... Oh, and so does over 80% of people seriously looking at buying a GT3. What Porsche needs to do is stop fiddling around with that 6cyl engine and replace it with a Carrera GT inspired 10cyl., otherwise it's working on being a 2nd tier track car. (just my opinion of course) ;)

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