Perhaps the manual transmission isn’t as dead as a few Italian automakers would like you to believe. Porsche has declared that as long as there is demand it will continue to supply automobiles with do-it-yourself gearboxes, and the German automaker has outfitted its 2012 911 with a seven-speed manual gearbox. Now it seems General Motors is following suit, and the next-generation Chevrolet Corvette will reportedly offer up seven forward gears, as well. Funk Flex Find Flex On Google+
(Video) Auto Talk: 2012 Porsche 911 gets shifty with 7-speed manual gearbox
Porsche has officially released a video of exactly how the gearbox works. As expected, engineers opted to use shorter ratios for gears one through six while leaving seventh gear nice and wide. That strategy is the same one employed in the company’s optional PDK, and it essentially operates as a six-speed manual with a seventh gear over drive. Porsche says the design allows the 2012 911 to deliver buyers the acceleration and performance that the vehicle has come to represent while also serving up improved fuel economy. Funk Flex Find Flex on Google +
Auto Talk: A closer look at the Porsche seven-speed manual shift pattern
Although Porsche has released photographs showing the interior of an automatic-transmission-equipped 2012 911, we’re still waiting on a clear look at the shift-yourself variety. Chas Hallet from WhatCar.com managed to get up close and personal with the newest 911, and he was kind enough to snap a picture of the shift pattern. Funkmasterflex Find Flex On Google+
