Some drivers like to be in more control and derive pleasure by changing gears themselves. High end cars which offer such simple pleasures are becoming rare thanks to the huge number of electronics that are pervading the vehicles. However, Porsche has decided to cater to such drivers. Porsche is now offering an option to order your 911 Carrera or 4S with a 7-speed manual gearbox in place of the 8-speed PDK system.
Porsche is offering this option in Europe and related markets and has clubbed it with the Sports Chrono package. Other systems offered with the Sports Chrono package include the Porsche Torque Vectoring System which controls variable drive torque distribution through braking interventions on the rear wheels. The package also offers a mechanical rear differential lock with asymmetrical locking action. Another new is the tyre temperature sensor which in combination with the tyre pressure sensors lets the driver know when the tyres are warmed up an offering maximum grip.
The Sports Chrono Package on the Porsche 911 Carrera and 4S also offers an automatic rev-match function. This function automatically opens the throttle momentarily when the driver shifts down. This action increases the engine speed and gets it ready for the higher gearbox speed in the lower gear for smooth downshifts. Its akin to blipping the engine before down shifitng. Porasche 911 Carrera’s Sports Chrono Package also includes other sporty ingredients such as dynamic engine mounts, PSM Sport mode and the mode switch on the steering wheel. The car comes with Normal, Sport, Sport Plus, Wet and Individual modes. Porsche offers a stop watch and the Porsche Track Precision App also in the package.
So what does the manual gear box offer, well, the Porsche 911 Carrera and 4S with this gear box accelerates from 0 to 100 Km/h in 4.2 seconds. Keep the throttled mashed against the floorboard and the speedo will keep moving till it indicates 308 Km/h. Thanks to the manual gearbox, the car weighs 35 Kgs less than the model with the PDK.
The Transport Journal 