The standard 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) has both a manual and an automatic mode, and enables smooth gear changes with no interruption in the flow of power. Gears 1 to 6 have a sports ratio, and top track speed is reached in 6th gear. The 7th gear has a long ratio and reduces fuel consumption even further by reducing revs at higher constant speeds.PDK is essentially two gearboxes in one and thus requires two clutches. This double clutch provides an alternating, non-positive connection between the two half gearboxes and the engine by means of two separate input shafts (input shaft 1 is nested inside the hollowed-out input shaft 2).

The flow of power from the engine is only transmitted through one half gearbox and one clutch at a time, while the next gear is preselected in the other half gearbox. During a gear change, then, a complete shift no longer takes place. Instead, one clutch simply opens and the other closes at the same time. Gear changes can thus take place within a few hundredths of a second.

Clutch 1 controls the first half gearbox, which contains the odd gears (1, 3, 5, 7). Clutch 2 controls the second, which contains the even gears (2, 4, 6 and R). The gear that is engaged is displayed on the instrument cluster.

PDK has distinct benefits. A high level of driving comfort and very rapid gearshifts produce faster acceleration, with no interruption in the flow of power. Driving feels even sportier and more dynamic, and agility is increased. Depending on the gearshift program, the gear change is optimized for comfort or for sporty handling.

Its high level of efficiency combined with the long-ratioed 7th gear helps to achieve reduced fuel consumption and emissions figures.

In conjunction with the optional Sport Chrono Package Plus for the Panamera S and Panamera 4S, or the optional Sport Chrono Package Turbo, PDK is enhanced by a Launch Control function, a sportier acceleration and gearshift strategy in automatic mode, and extremely quick gear changes in manual mode.

PDK offers sportiness with efficiency and comfort: a new definition of driving in the luxury class from Porsche.
Steering wheel and gear selector for Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK)

The three-spoke mulitfunction steering wheel for Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) in Smooth-Finish Leather, which is fitted as standard, has two ergonomic buttons for changing gears. One press forward with the thumb and PDK shifts up. One pull backward with the index finger and PDK shifts down. Either the right or left hand can be used.

Even if the gear selector is set to automatic, you can still use the ergonomic gearshift buttons to change gears manually at any time. In this way, even in automatic mode, you can achieve a short burst of speed for an overtaking maneuver. The system reverts to automatic mode if no manual inputs are detected for a time period of eight seconds.Using the PDK gear selector,you can also change gears manually in a separate manual shift gate. The control concept mirrors the logic of the gearshift buttons on the PDK steering wheel – press forward to shift up; pull backward to shift down.