Leno interviewed in Autoweek about his CGT & the clutch
Q: What, no Enzo?
A: It doesn't interest me. I don't like the paddle shifter. I like to shift myself. (note: however the article also asks him about his automatic SLR he just bought too - maybe he means he likes to shift in SPORTS cars himself and we all know the SLR is a luxo boat).
Q. You still have the Carrera GT loaner, how do you like that?
A: I put 500 miles on it. I bought it because of the clutch. What is it, a 60,000-mile clutch (who can say that Leno - who has put 60k on one?)? The McLaren clutch (Leno also owns a McLaren F1) is 3000 or 4000 miles. I love the fact (the Carrera GT) has no paddle shifters. I think there's a great deal of satisfaction in mastering the proper shift of a car. If it's going to shift for you, get the video.
Q: Wasn't the Carrera GT clutch difficult to get used to?
A: I didn't have any problems. I read one road test that said, "Oh it'll really build up your thigh muscles." Well, how lazy are we getting? I have a Hispano-Suiza and that thing has a clutch - you operate that for a few blocks and you're sweating. But this car, it's like, "Oh shut up, are you really mentally and physically exhausted from shifting?"
The real trick to driving the car is you put it in gear, don't give it any gas, release the clutch and it goes (note: how about on inclines????). I find it's one of those things that gives a car character. Just as it was mastering the earlier 911's handling characteristics (note: in the same article he says, "this is the first Porsche I've ever bought.").
Q. You really love that carbon clutch, don't you?
A: It doesn't smoke, it doesn't smell. Any other car, you do a burnout and, "Sniff, sniff, uh oh." Let's face it, if you've got some Countach and some kid comes up to you in a '57 Chevy, you say, "Yeah, I could beat this kid but it'll cost me $4700 in clutch repairs." (note: I thought Allan Lambo said those things were reliable?). With the Porsche it's not like that.
A: It doesn't interest me. I don't like the paddle shifter. I like to shift myself. (note: however the article also asks him about his automatic SLR he just bought too - maybe he means he likes to shift in SPORTS cars himself and we all know the SLR is a luxo boat).
Q. You still have the Carrera GT loaner, how do you like that?
A: I put 500 miles on it. I bought it because of the clutch. What is it, a 60,000-mile clutch (who can say that Leno - who has put 60k on one?)? The McLaren clutch (Leno also owns a McLaren F1) is 3000 or 4000 miles. I love the fact (the Carrera GT) has no paddle shifters. I think there's a great deal of satisfaction in mastering the proper shift of a car. If it's going to shift for you, get the video.
Q: Wasn't the Carrera GT clutch difficult to get used to?
A: I didn't have any problems. I read one road test that said, "Oh it'll really build up your thigh muscles." Well, how lazy are we getting? I have a Hispano-Suiza and that thing has a clutch - you operate that for a few blocks and you're sweating. But this car, it's like, "Oh shut up, are you really mentally and physically exhausted from shifting?"
The real trick to driving the car is you put it in gear, don't give it any gas, release the clutch and it goes (note: how about on inclines????). I find it's one of those things that gives a car character. Just as it was mastering the earlier 911's handling characteristics (note: in the same article he says, "this is the first Porsche I've ever bought.").
Q. You really love that carbon clutch, don't you?
A: It doesn't smoke, it doesn't smell. Any other car, you do a burnout and, "Sniff, sniff, uh oh." Let's face it, if you've got some Countach and some kid comes up to you in a '57 Chevy, you say, "Yeah, I could beat this kid but it'll cost me $4700 in clutch repairs." (note: I thought Allan Lambo said those things were reliable?). With the Porsche it's not like that.
