http://blog.caranddriver.com/seven-t...porsche-macan/

2. The Seven-Speed PDK Is a Porsche Transmission
Our American-market Q5 uses an eight-speed, torque-converter automatic, but European Q5s are available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. That fact made us suspicious that the Macan’s PDK transmission, with seven forward gears and the same two-clutch technology, was actually the Audi S tronic gearbox working under a pseudonym. It’s not. We’re told the Macan’s transmission is genuine Porsche hardware like the PDK used in the Panamera.

 

Source? I don't think this is right and the first I've heard. Everything that I've read (including the C&D article posted above) and all the video reviews that I've watched indicate that it's Porsche's PDK transmission. All of Porsche's documentation indicates the same.

If you are indeed right, Suzy, it will definitely change my opinion of the Macan.

 

I've read it now in two magazines, a swiss local magazine and a Dutch car magazine called "Autovisie". I was kinda shocked, because , as fas I knew, it was Porsche's PDK that they are using. That said, I presonally would prefer Audi's transmission, simply because IMHO it's better than Porsche's PDK. (Smoother, especially in very slow traffic).

One thing might be important here... Both reviews were the Macan S diesel. Not sure if there's any difference between the petrol and diesel versions of the Macan.

On Porsche's website they clearly say all Macans are equipped with a PDK. But that's just a name....

So far I don't have any real confirmation on this subject though.

Suzy991 (iOS app)

 

That actually makes things more clear. Thanks.

I guess it was just bad journalistic writing from both magazines I read.

Suzy991 (iOS app)

 

Truthfully, there has been bad journalistic writing in many of the reviews that have popped up all over the internet and in publications over the past 3 weeks.

That said, one would hope when Porsche refers to PDK, it's the same PDK that is in all their cars and not some other variant "re-badged."

 

That's true.
But all the VAG brands do it... The dual clutch transmission, used in the smaller VAG models (VW Golf, Audi A3, Seat Leon, Skoda Octavia) are all exactly the same and are even mated to the exact same engines, but every brand gives it a different name. DSG, S-Tronic, DCT, etc....

I guess it was indeed bad journalistic writing in this case... Too bad, because the Dutch "Autovisie" magazine has a very good reputation.

Suzy991 (iOS app)

 

I'm curious what yrrlis1 knows about this. I'm hoping the quote in yankee04's post is correct.

 

Since I was at my dealership today to let them fix the uncooperative roof of my Boxster, I asked the mechanic about this subject.

According to him, all Macans have the ZF dual clutch transmission aka PDK. The Audi S-Tronic comes from Borg-Warner.

The dealership is part of a company that also sells all the other VAG products, so they know both products pretty well. The mechanic said that both transmissions are equally as good these days. The PDK is slightly more efficient, where the S-Tronic is smoother. He also said that it wouldn't have made that much difference and probably no one would ever have noticed it, but when Porsche says it's a PDK, it better be a real one, because that's what customers expect.
(His words, not mine... I'd still prefer the S-Tronic)

Suzy991 (iOS app)

 

Thx for the confirmation, Suzy.

 

How would Macan s compare to gla45 amg? Gla45 is 4.8 sec, macan s is 5.2 sec

 

That's like comparing a BMW M235i with a Porsche Panamera Turbo S.... Both are fast, but completely different cars.
GLA isn't even an SUV, but more like a hatchback with a higher stance, much smaller than the Macan. It's nothing bigger than an A-class and competing with cars like Audi RS-Q3 and BMW X1 35i (even those two are more SUV-like than the GLA).

If you want a fast Hatchback with AWD, the Golf VII R is a better choice IMHO (and a lot cheaper too!)

Suzy991 (iOS app)

 

What do you think of idea if going with X5M over Macan S? Since the X5M is CPO I'd be looking at same monthly numbers from a finance standpoint. Getting performance + and all options like run flats, HUD. Only concern is just not as practical as Macan.

 

Sounds good but why would X5 not be as practical other than MPG?

 

Just seems like 8 cylinder MPG is too extreme versus 6 cylinder.