What is PDK?
What does PDK stand for and how does it help shift gears so quickly?
Hands engaging PDK shift on Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0
PDK – the Porsche dual-clutch transmission – enhances performance and efficiency and gives you the option of manual or automatic shifting. Find out more about this innovative Porsche technology
The Porsche dual-clutch transmission – known as PDK – blends the responsiveness of a manual transmission with the comfort of an automatic, while achieving reduced fuel consumption and emissions. Honed on the racetrack, it’s fitted as standard to many current Porsche models.
Close-up of Porsche 718 Boxster selector in centre console
Changing gears with PDK – the Porsche dual-clutch transmission – can be used with the shift pictured here, like this 718 Boxster, with the paddles situated behind the steering wheel as well as by putting it in automatic mode Photo: Porsche
What does PDK stand for?PDK stands for Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe – German for ‘Porsche dual-clutch transmission’. Porsche began the development of PDK in the 1980s, with the aim of making its race cars even more competitive through faster gear shifts. It made its debut in the 962C racecar, helping British driver and Porsche racing legend, Derek Bell, to win the driver’s championship in the 1986 World Sports-Prototype Championship. Derek’s teammate, Hans-Joachim Stuck – another historic Porsche name – who shared driving duties in the car, said: “Being able to keep my hands on the steering wheel when changing gears at full throttle felt great right from the start.”While dual-clutch transmissions went on to revolutionise motorsport, it wasn’t until 2008 that PDK first appeared in a Porsche production car. Introduced for the 997 series of 911, Porsche engineers had by then refined the PDK concept to give it the robustness expected of a Porsche road car, as well as optimising its characteristics to suit a wider range of needs.
Porsche 962C racecar – the first-ever Porsche fitted with PDK
The first Porsche car to be fitted with PDK was this 962C racecar, which Derek Bell and Hans-Joachim Stuck drove when winning the 1986 World Sports-Prototype Championship title. It first appeared in a Porsche road car in 2008 with the 911 (type 997) Photo: Porsche
How does the PDK transmission work?A PDK transmission has a set of gears like those of a manual transmission, but instead of a single clutch operated by the driver it has two clutches that are controlled by the car itself. One clutch is connected to the odd-numbered gears and the other is connected to the even-numbered gears, with each having its own separate driveshaft. Every time you or the car shifts gear, sensors predict what the next gear needed will be. This is simultaneously selected but its corresponding clutch left open. For the next shift, one clutch closes as the other opens – a process that takes a fraction of a second, with a seamless flow of power from the engine to the wheels. When accelerating, for example, if you (or the transmission) shift up from second to third, then fourth gear is selected but its clutch is not engaged. The process is reversed when decelerating, and the electronic control unit of PDK allows it to adapt in a split-second if a subsequent driver input or change in the car’s momentum means that it needs to shift down rather than up, or vice versa.
7-speed PDK transmission fitted in Porsche 911 GT3 (type 992.2)
The 7-speed PDK transmission fitted in Porsche 911 GT3 (type 992.2). It blends the responsiveness of a manual transmission with the convenience of an automatic Photo: Porsche
What are the advantages of PDK?The main advantage a PDK transmission has over both a manual transmission and a conventional automatic transmission is that it can change gear much faster. This has obvious benefits on the racetrack but it also means improved performance and efficiency in everyday driving. In fact, a car with PDK not only accelerates quicker than an equivalent manual car but also gives improved fuel economy and CO2 emissions. Taking the latest Porsche 718 Cayman as an example, it has a 0-100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds with a PDK transmission, compared with 5.1 seconds if fitted with the six-speed manual transmission. WLTP combined fuel economy is 8.6 l/100 km with PDK and 9.1 l/100 km for the manual car, while CO2 emissions are 197 g/km for the PDK-equipped car and 208 g/km with a manual transmission. Is PDK the same as an automatic gearbox?Although it operates differently from a conventional automatic transmission, a PDK transmission gives you the comfort and convenience of an automatic because you have the option of choosing a mode that lets the car do all the shifting for you. In most new Porsche models you also get the option of Normal, Sport and Sport Plus automatic modes to suit your mood or the road, while some also have the option of Individual and Wet modes.For maximum control and engagement, you can switch to manual mode and use the paddles behind the steering wheel to shift up and down through the gears. In this configuration, PDK provides engagement on a par with a manual gearbox, with an uninterrupted flow of power and the ability to keep your hands on the steering wheel as you enjoy the drive.
Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet (type 992.2) with roof down
Customers have the option of choosing the PDK transmission in a wide range of current Porsche models, like the 911 Carrera S Cabriolet (type 992.2) Photo: Porsche
Can you manually shift gears with PDK?It’s easy – and satisfying – to shift gears manually with a PDK transmission. In most current Porsche models this means pulling the right paddle on the steering wheel to shift up and the left paddle to shift down. Some models also offer the option of shifting via the gear selector between the front seats. In this case you pull back on the lever to shift up and push forwards to shift down – a set-up that is optimised for high-performance driving since it works with the forces generated by acceleration and braking, rather than against them.Which current Porsche models have PDK?Specifications vary by market, but the current Porsche models available (as of July 2025) with a PDK transmission are the 718 Cayman, 718 Boxster, Macan, Panamera and 911.
Consumption and emission information 911 Carrera S Cabriolet (WLTP): Fuel consumption combined: 10.6 – 10.4 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 241 – 237 g/km; CO₂ class: . 718 Cayman (WLTP): Fuel consumption combined: 9.7 – 8.9 l/100 km (preliminary value); CO₂ emissions combined: 220 – 201 g/km (preliminary value); CO₂ class: G (preliminary value).
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