Liviu Marcus
In an age when cars are leaning more towards the automatic transmission, the sound of a manual gearbox is still a voice ringing in the corridors of the Porsche GT division. In an interview, Andreas Preuninger, the head of Porsche GT, stated that the brand still prioritizes having a manual transmission in their cars, specifically 911. At a time when manual transmissions are disappearing from many segments, Porsche’s willingness to provide them in their high-performance cars exemplifies tradition married to performance.
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The Supremacy of Manuals in New Generation Vehicles
The manual transmission is a rare entity in car manufacturing companies today. Today, one can only find 29 models with a manual option—how different from the previous decades, right? From Porsche, we have two of these models, the 718 and the 911. However, hope for the mid-engine 718 remains uncertain, as the automaker plans to transition to an electric lineup later this year. On the other hand, the 911 remains a bastion of manual, with at least one derivative assured of having the gearbox for the no-longer-distant future due to the word of Porsche’s leadership.
Self-predilection and Driving Mood
It is easily seen that Andreas Preuninger, the director of the brand, has a preference for manual transmissions. At the launch of the 911 GT3 in Valencia, Spain, Preuninger expressed his love for manual transmission systems, considering them essential for real driving. “From my personal point of view, it was always super important to have a manual,” he said. As for a driver’s car, I like it more when it comes to manual. Preuninger said he is prepared to do it on track, although he knows that Porsche’s PDK dual-clutch automatic gearbox is quicker.
This opinion is quite proper now, as in recent years the decision to withdraw the manual option in the 911 Carrera S has been made. Now, the GT3 and the Carrera T are the only models that Porsche offers with manual transmissions for enthusiastic drivers. For the 2025 GT3, the buyers have an opportunity to decide between manual or PDK, and fifty per cent of the American customers chose the manual for the GT3, and only a quarter of the purchasers decided to take the automatic for the touring model.
The Roles of Decision and Newness
Preuninger’s idea that choice is good applies to Porsche, and this was even evident when preparing for the 991 series. The return of the manual gearbox through the 911 R was a demonstration of how much Porsche was committed to the experience. “The 911 R derived more or less from the development project of the gearbox that we still have today,” Preuninger said. This dedication protects the manual gearbox from the needs of an automatic world.
The Future Remains of Manual Transmissions
Now with the improved driving dynamics and increase in speed of dual-clutch automatics, many times there are debates that manual transmissions may be phased out from production cues to low emission norms. But Preuninger, who has helmed Porsche’s GT division since 2000, remains confident. He does not see the manual gearbox going away any time soon, or at the very least within the Porsche’s GT range.
Personal Reflection
To my mind, Porsche’s desire to extend the life of manual cars is not some kind of loyalty to the past and technology. It’s largely about the relationship between the driver and the car – a sensation that many claim is lessened by the existence of autos. The momentary contact with a car that is made acquainted with the drivers’ hands by a manual transmission is something that a lot of drivers hold dear. This choice is well soaked by Porsche because, for most, the act of driving is not simply a functional one; it’s the process, the getting there that matters.
Therefore, at present the car industry is transforming and even if Porsche continues to offer manual transmissions in some of their GT cars, their message is straight – automatic is a trend but not the way to go for Porsche. This is a joy ride that is all set to go on, as long as leaders such as Andreas Preuninger are up and running with a manual gearbox assuming the best home in high performance, or the Porsche crusade.
