The gear ratios were adapted to the modified engine characteristic. The longer gear ratios, which start with the third gear, enable good fuel economy without affecting the car's sportiness.

PDK has new operating logic and virtual intermediate gears

The top priority in advanced development of the optional PDK was on realising greater efficiency while maintaining high levels of sportiness and comfort. For the driver, this is most apparent in the new direction in which the selector lever is moved for shifts. As in the 911 GT3 and many Porsche race vehicles, pulling the lever back now means upshifting, while pressing it forward downshifts. The PDK now also has a dual-mass flywheel with a centrifugal pendulum, intelligent overrun cut-off and virtual gears. The centrifugal pendulum, which incidentally is also used with the manual transmission, is an adaptive vibration absorber that dampens drivetrain vibrations over a broad range of engine speeds. The effect: when driving slowly, the driver can drive in a higher gear with low revs without any jolts. This enhances ride comfort and also saves on fuel.

The efficiency gains made in the 911 models with PDK are also attributable to new functions: intelligent overrun cut-off and virtual intermediate gears. Intelligent overrun cut-off occurs in such situations as when the driver releases the accelerator pedal on a motorway descent. At first, the drive control system switches to what is referred to as a coasting mode with open clutches and the engine idling. If the car's speed continues to increase, intelligent overrun cut-off engages the clutch and shuts off the fuel injection. The automatic stop-start system has learned to interrupt the flow of fuel early – at speeds below seven km/h – when rolling to a stop such as at a red light.

Virtual intermediate gears are employed during smooth, constant driving to reduce revs whenever shifting to the next higher gear would drop revs below the engine's lower rev limit. To employ the virtual gears, the transmission controller engages the higher gear, controls the relevant clutch for defined slip and transmits the drive power in this way. When the driver accelerates, the dual clutch transmission downshifts to the proper gear at lightning speed. Since the PDK has oil bath clutches, this innovative transmission function is entirely wear-free.

New all-wheel drive system with electrohydraulic control

Porsche is implementing the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) of the 911 Turbo in the new all-wheel drive 911 cars for even faster and more specific power distribution to the two axles. Here, a multi-plate clutch with electrohydraulic control supplementally engages the front-axle drive as needed for the driving situation. This functional principle lets the PTM react more quickly and sensitively than was the case in the previous models. This results in more dynamic and precise control of drive forces at the front axle, offering advantages in traction and driving dynamics. The new system can also direct more drive torque to the front wheels if necessary. At the same time, the optimised interaction of engine, transmission and all-wheel drive system contributes to even better sprinting abilities in the new all-wheel drive models.

New sport exhaust system as an option

The new switchable sport exhaust system is available as an option. Its characteristic elements are two round dual tailpipes, which are now centrally located, and of course its incomparable sporty sound. Incidentally, this sound is not digitally modified, and it enables a very quiet and discreet sound stage for relaxed cruising.