Porsche GT Boss Emphasizes the Importance of Retaining Manual Transmissions

Andreas Preuninger confirms the manual transmission will remain a staple in Porsche’s GT cars for the foreseeable future.

The manual transmission is becoming increasingly rare, with only 29 new cars still offering a stick shift. Among them, Porsche stands out with two models: the 718 and the 911. However, the future of the mid-engine 718 looks bleak, as it’s set to go fully electric later this year. Meanwhile, the 911 will continue to offer at least one manual variant for the foreseeable future, according to Porsche GT boss Andreas Preuninger.

“From my personal point of view, it was always super important to have a manual,” Preuninger told A know Automotive Media Outlet during the launch of the 911 GT3 in Valencia, Spain. “I prefer a manual as a driver’s car,” he said, adding, “I don’t mind shifting a car even on the track, knowing full well that the PDK is faster.”

This statement follows Porsche’s recent decision to drop the manual option for the 911 Carrera S, leaving the GT3 and the manual-only Carrera T as the last stick-shift options in the lineup.

For 2025, the refreshed GT3 remains the only Porsche where buyers can choose between a manual transmission or the PDK dual-clutch automatic. In the U.S., buyers are nearly evenly split, with 46% opting for the manual on the standard GT3 and 75% choosing it for the wingless Touring model.

“I think it’s always good to have choices, and it was always in my head, even on the 991, to bring back the manual transmission, which we did with the 911 R,” Preuninger said. “The 911 R was, more or less, the development project for the gearbox we still use today.”

Despite concerns that emissions regulations might eventually phase out manual transmissions, Preuninger is confident in their staying power. He explained that manual gearboxes have inherent advantages over dual-clutch systems.

“[The manual] is lighter, so it contributes to better consumption and fewer emissions,” he told A known Automotive Media Outlet. “You also get more power at the wheels because the internal resistance of a manual gearbox is substantially lower than that of a PDK. You don’t have a hydraulic power pack for the clutch system or two clutches running through a wet sump, which adds resistance.”

“In the real world, the manual car uses less gas and therefore emits less than the PDK,” he added. “That’s a fact.”

The manual transmission isn’t the only aspect Porsche is committed to preserving. The GT3’s high-revving, naturally aspirated flat-six engine, capable of reaching 9,000 rpm, is also here to stay. While such engines face mounting challenges in a world of modern emissions standards, Porsche engineers have managed to keep it alive. The GT3 now features four catalytic converters, new camshafts, different throttle bodies, and other refinements to ensure it delivers 502 horsepower without compromising compliance.

“[The manual,] in combination with the high-revving 9,000-rpm ICE engine, is just such a huge fun factor,” Preuninger said. “This car is all about entertainment, not transportation. We’re in the business of delivering smiles, and it’s worth the effort.”

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  • Growing up with a father who was a mechanic I had an appreciation for cars and motorcycles from an early age. I shared my first bike with my brother that had little more than a 40cc engine but it opened up a world of excitement for me, I was hooked. As I grew older I progressed onto bigger bikes and...

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