997.2 Turbo -- Totally changed PASM. And Holy PDK acceleration!!!
I finally got a chance to drive a 2010 PDK Turbo with PDK today. It was a 30 minutes drive without co driver in a well broken in car. (Well if it wasn't before, it is now. ) A few things that stood out about the suspension that might not have received enough emphasis from reviews so far:
Gen. 2 PASM: ***Totally*** changed and improved from previous system. Gen. 1 PASM in C2S/Turbo/GT2 in my opinion is at best a work in progress. In all 3 cars, my impression is the Firm setting is jittery/choppy/nervous.
In contrast, gen. 2 PASM Firm setting is very much useable on surface street. Normal and Firm are "closer" together in overall stiffness (similar to Bilstein Damptronic), and not opposite ends of the spectrum. The firm setting has no nervousness at all.
Vertical Motion: 997.2 stock has much less vertical motion than 997.1 stock. 997.2 still leans, but the car suspension now feels like it has less excessive motion. It also appears to dive and squat less. It's been a while since I drove a stock 997.1 Turbo, so you might want to take this with a grain of salt.
Alignment Settings: First thing I would do to 997.2 is to bring it to tuner for more front negative camber. The car still understeers quite a bit and turn-in response is only so so.
Steering Assist: I am not sure about this but it seems the assist has been reduced, and perhaps so has the steering ratio?? Could someone confirm this? The steering feels firmer and better than 997.1, but still on the lazy side with the stock alignment setting and there is still a lag in response.
Love the paddles on the steering wheel btw. Also, the steering wheel itself *seems* firmer, and maybe a little thicker than 997.1's.
PTM: From my brief time with the car, and taking it through a few freeway exits, the rear end rotates more. The car feels less "4 wheel-drivey." I do not know if this car has Porsche torque vectoring (PTV), and maybe I wasn't taking the corners that fast, so I think these benefits come from revised PTM and not necessarily PTV.
Exhaust Note: Definitely warmer sounding (lower frequency) and more of a crackling/staccato nature, versus the hair dryer continuous whining of 997.1. However still very quiet, similar to normal C2S for example, and nowhere near the level of my Cargraphic.
Sense of insulation: Somehow the car feels more "insulated." Like there is a layer between me and the road. I do not know if this is entirely in my head, or if it's because I am more used to my noisy, and stiff, and lowered car.
The acceleration, or THE HOLY ACCELERATION : Nothing I've read prepares me for the astounding sense of acceleration of the PDK Turbo. As predicted, if I pin the throttle, it's one incredible and unbelievable continuous rush, with no drop in boost. I know the objective number is only 0.7 second or so difference in 0-60 versus my car, but the subjective sense is a whole new ball game. Simply put, this car wipes out and overwhelms every thing I've driven previously (F430, Gallardo, GT2, Ford GT, Corvette, my Turbo). Anyone into straight line power and the thrill of acceleration -- PDK has made the manual box obsolete (I remain a manual die-hard however; very much so.).
So the summary:
1. Several improvements, including stiffer and "cleaner" suspension and totally changed PASM, but still very much a grand touring car. Suspension feels less loose and more like a C2S (a compliment). Stiffness and comfort are between stock 997.1 Turbo and a Bilstein Turbo.
2. Faster than a speeding bullet. Really.
Congratulations to the lucky owners!
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Regards,
Can
997 Turbo + Bilstein Damptronic ( Review ) + GIAC ECU Tune ( Fast as a torpedo & reversible to stock - Review ) + Cargraphic Exhaust ( Oh heavenly noise! )