The recent launch of Porsche’s 991 GT3 has set pulses racing the world over. However, there was a slight sting in the tail of this announcement: this would be the first GT3 not offered with a traditional manual gearbox. Porsche has been quick to calm potential customers’ fears saying that the new PDK (Porsche Doppel-Kupplung) transmission is more involving than a manual. By offering the fastest ever PDK gearshift and a special ‘clutch kick’ feature, it reckons this is the future of the GT3.

It’s not just Porsche either, Renault now offer its new Clio RS with only a semi-automatic gearbox, and let’s not forget the BMW E46 M3 CSL from the early ’00s, which only came with an SMG transmission. The manufacturers will argue that the semi-automatic/automated-manual versions are faster around a track, but the purists will counter that argument with the view of a car losing that certain ‘something’ when you remove the clutch pedal and manual gear shift.

So, the question is simple – do you want to go fast or are you happier to be slower but more involved? State your argument for or against in the comments below.

Paddy McGrath
paddy@dev.speedhunters.com
Twitter: @PaddyMcGrathSH
Instagram: speedhunters_paddy

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