Trouble in Paradise, Urban Legends and more...get real
But get real: a lot of people are happy with what they get regarding the 997 Turbo. And furthermore, some even expected worse.
Don't worry, I won't bother you again with a long and boring statement, just one last thing: Porsche did not make the manual slowlier than the Tiptronic by purpose.
It just happened during development and two factors seem to play a key role: the new VTG technology and the networked electronics system of the TT.
Get over it: the Tip is faster and the PDK will be faster than manual too, incl. the "auto" mode.
7.8 seconds from 0-100 mph. For an auto tranny car a spectacular figure.
And finally, regarding track racing: rumors indicate that test drivers were always faster with the Tiptronic during track testing, with one exception (I don't know if by this exception our source meant the driver or a specific track).
So get over it, I have to get over it too: Tip is faster. Period. As soon as the "shock wave" is over, we should ask ourselves if it really matters. Because a sequential shifting system offers only two pedals (brake, throttle) too and it can be switched from manual to auto and back again. Of course the Tiptronic is no sequential shifting system and it may not shift as fast as one. But using the manual mode of the Tiptronic is not much different, viewed as a picture, than using the manual mode of a sequential shifting system. So whoever says manual is more fun, should keep his hands off any sequential shifting system, incl. PDK. Because the only REAL difference drivers will notice is actually the shifting time.
So if you're buying the new 997 Turbo or not, this is your personal decision. But do you know many cars on the street which can hit 60 mph/100 kph in 3.4/3.7 seconds EACH and EVERY time from standstill? I don't. Yes, I'm still not happy with what Porsche brought up. But it could have been worse and I still hope that it is more fun to drive in reality than I can imagine right now. Tiptronic? So be it. But my wife never gets to drive this car.