Confirmed: Next Porsche 911 to Launch with 7-Speed Manual Transmission (Yes, the Clutch-Pedal Kind)

More isn’t always better. We’ll agree in terms of power, but respectfully pass when we’re talking about weight. Transmission gears? We’re not sure. Some recent automatics have featured seven and eight forward ratios (and ZF has even announced a nine-speed auto), but the maximum for traditional clutch-and-lever manual transmissions has been six for some time. That’s about to change, however, because we’ve confirmed from various corporate sources that Porsche will offer a seven-speed manual in the next-generation 911, a development we first reported last November.

The point is to offer a tall, seventh gear for improved efficiency and reduced engine noise during long cruises. The shifting experience is said to be similar to that of the current six-speed manual—which we love—there’s just a bit more rowing to do, although, depending on the ratio spread, veteran Porsche drivers might also have to slightly tweak their thinking in terms of gear choice for upcoming corners. Unless something changes and the shift pattern is seriously wacky, though, we doubt anyone will get confused during hard driving, since seventh will hardly be anyone’s go-to gear for corner exit.

As to the next 911 itself, it carries the internal 991 designation and is scheduled to debut at the Frankfurt auto show this September. It will be based on the stretched architecture of the 996/997 and offer more rear seat space and a more comfortable, luxurious interior. Vehicle stability will be improved thanks to a longer wheelbase. Future generations of the 911, however, are expected to share many components with the next-gen Audi R8 and Lamborghini Gallardo as part of the VW Group’s highly flexible Modularer Sportbaukasten, or “modular sports architecture.” When and if this platform convergence happens, the 911 will keep its rear-engine layout, although the powerplant may nevertheless be moved forward significantly.

Porsche’s seven-speed manual only adds to the multiple gearbox options in the sports-car segment, which include dual-clutch, torque-converter, and modified automatics; traditional manuals; and even an entirely new single-clutch automatic in the Lamborghini Aventador. Will the seven-speed manual be offered by other automakers as well? At present, a supplier source tells us additional interest in the technology is limited.

UPDATE (6/1): Our sources are now confirming that, for cost reasons, the seven-speed manual is derived from Porsche’s seven-speed dual-clutch PDK automatic.

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Ford Reveals Plans for New In-House-Designed Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission

We greedy, MPG-grubbing, gear-hoarding car shoppers. Look what we’ve done now. Ford has a perfectly good six-speed automatic, co-developed with General Motors—the master of slushboxes—deploying power throughout most of its front-drive vehicle lineup. The Fiesta and the new Focus use a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, which we assume was co-developed with engineering input from Hal, the computer from the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey that distrusted human judgment rather a lot.

But as a result of our avarice, Ford has no choice but to announce a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The gearbox will be designed and built internally by Ford—a bit of a surprise in this era, when high costs have driven manufacturers to often buy transmissions from specialists like ZF and Aisin. Ford says the new transmission will deliver improvements in fuel economy from between two and six percent, depending on the application.

Although the company hasn’t said which cars will receive the new octo-cogger, hints of front-drive applications and the description of it as a “transaxle” pretty much rule out eight-speed Mustangs or F-150s. Ford implied that the Taurus, Explorer, and Edge are prime candidates when a spokesperson said that the gearbox would be more advantageous in “larger” vehicles. We must admit that we’ll be a bit disappointed if the Fiesta and Focus aren’t slated for the new transmission, as we’ve said just once or twice that the dual-clutch PowerShift transmission on which they both depend is those vehicles’ only truly significant flaw.

Ford hasn’t said when the new box will hit the market, but we figure that some time in 2012 would be a good guess.

A New Hybrid Transmission, Too

How’s this for vague? Along with the eight-speed automatic, Ford announced that it is also developing—on its own—a new continuously variable transmission for its hybrid models. The transmission is being dubbed an “e-CVT,” or “electronic CVT,” which sounds an awful lot like the transmission in the Fusion and Escape hybrids now. It goes into production in early 2012, by which time we assume we’ll be hearing more about it.

With a continuously variable transmission, there are no gears in the traditional sense—just infinitely variable ratios. This may come in handy when it comes to bragging rights, as Ford’s upcoming eight-speed auto will likely be simultaneously overshadowed by the nine-speed transmission on which ZF and Chrysler are hammering away. Soon enough, we’ll be at bicycle or big-rig numbers.

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