Though the 2018 911 GT3 will be offered with an optional six-speed manual transmission, it seems that the more hardcore GT3RS won't be having it. Instead, it will be PDK only.
No Six-Speed Manual Transmission For The GT3 RS
In an interview with Road & Track, the head of GT cars at Porsche, Andreas Preuninger explained as to why only the GT3 will be offered with the option of a six-speed manual transmission, while the GT3 RS won't. According to Preuninger, "The customers buying the RS are the motorsport guys. They're using the car as a tracking tool, and then, it doesn't make a lot of sense to have a manual gearbox." Basically, the GT3 RS is offered to customers who are "motorsport guys" while the GT3 are for the "driving purists."
However, an article at Jalopnik has somewhat a different opinion about this matter. In the article, it mentioned that Porsche has sold themselves to driving purists for so long that trying to differentiate between driving purists and motorsport types is going to be a really, really hard sell. What Porsche should realize is that both the GT3 and GT3 RS are road cars, and both the driving purists and motorsport types are people who just simply love to drive whether it's on the track or not. Jalopnik then tried to reach out to a Porsche representative to give more insights regarding Preuninger's comments, but the company has declined to comment on future products.
Benefits Of Having The PDK
Looking at the bright side, the GT3 RS having no six-speed manual transmission option has its benefits. With PDK, it offers much quicker shifts than a conventional manual and allows the driver to keep both of his/her hands on the wheel - both that of which are good things in reducing lap times. Furthermore, it also comes with an electronic rear differential that reduces lap times even more.
But then again, for some people, having a manual transmission is rather fulfilling. For those who really love going on the track and hoping a perfect experience every shift on their own for lap after lap, it's such a fun and challenging part.
