[94'968]

after reading through the "sixth gear anyone" thread, and noticing that not too many people use sixth gear on a regular basis. i wonder how many people will end up using the seventh gear on a regular basis on the new 911's.



http://blog.caranddriver.com/confirmed-n...edal-kind/

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[Cloud9...68]

But what about switching the entire fleet of vehicles in the country to hydrogen-powered fuel cells in the next five years, using the revenue generated by raising gas tax to $12 a gallon overnight? Kidding... Just anticipating the path another thread that may in some remote way hint at a discussion about fuel economy might take. Please, nobody go there; somebody should start a separate thread in the "What do you think" section if that's going to be the inclination.



As far as a 7-speed manual, that seems a little extreme. Seems like added weight for no good purpose. Maybe on the Autobahn, but not the way most people drive in the US.

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[tamathumper]

I'd take a 7th in mine right now - anything to get 80mph at 2800-3000 rpm.

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[Rap]

I have a 7th in my Infinity g37xs. Granted it's a tiptronic type deal but unless it auto kicks in under what's called a ds. Mode on straight shifting,I often forget it. Until my wallet jiggles and reminds me of the possibility of $12 gas!

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[Chris Vais]

I was just looking at Porsche's website and ran across a discussion of the 7 speed PDK transmission. It is clear from the technical description that the 7th gear is present to help reduce fuel consumption. In fact a Carrera GTS with a PDK gets better freeway fuel consumption than the same car with a 6 speed manual, not much, only a gallon a mile or so per gallon better. It is all designed to push the average fuel consumption (MPG), across the model line up a little.



I've driven the 7 speed PDK. In many respects it is like having a close ratio 6 speed with an overdrive once you get up to cruise speed. If I had it I'd definitely use it. the PDK is a very cool transmission. It can shift faster than I can and not having to work the clutch in heavy stop and go traffic is definitely a benefit.

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[Cloud9...68]

Chris,



The 7-speed on the new 911 is going to be a manual, which I believe is a first for a production car. 7- and 8-speeds have been offered in automatics for a little while now. Quite a switch from a few years ago, when manuals always had more gears than the available automatics.

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[Chris Vais]

"The 7-speed on the new 911 is going to be a manual"

Cloud, that is what I understand as well. That translates into a lot of shifting. Wonder how the gear ratios will compare to the PDK. The thing I liked about the 7 speed PDK is once you got up into the engines sweet spot the power just kept on coming. I get the same experience with the 968s 6 speed and there has been more than once when I wished for one more gear.

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[tamathumper]

If 7th is just unbelievably "tall", there wouldn't be any more shifting than the normal 6-speed for most driving situations.

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[Cloud9...68]

Given the rapid decline in popularity of manuals in the US, I'd be surprised if a whole lot of manufacturers followed Porsche's lead in this, but you never know. I thought I read that something like 97% of all new cars in the US are automatics.

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[Chris Vais]

7th gear on the PDK equipt car that I drove was pretty tall. In fact you can't get to the cars max speed in 7th, but you can in 6th.

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[tamathumper]

[quote name='Chris Vais' timestamp='1307391932' post='110755']

7th gear on the PDK equipt car that I drove was pretty tall. In fact you can't get to the cars max speed in 7th, but you can in 6th.

[/quote]



I was wondering about that!

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