In seven heaven

Repeat after me: “Doppelkupplungsgetriebe!”

Can’t do it? I don’t blame you; it’s a tongue twister, but such a wonderful expression.

You can call it PDK, if you like because it answers to either name – and it answers with an enthusiastic roar.

It’s really a dual-clutch seven-speed automatic transmission and you can now find it in the Porsche Boxster S. Call it what you will, when you hook it up to a 310 horsepower 3.4L horizontally opposed six cylinder engine, you have performance in any person’s language.

I’ve always like the Boxster S, but I love this 2009 version. It’s not radically different from the ’08 model, but the softly sculpted skin conceals a host of changes to tweak performance, ride and handling.

To begin with, the exterior has new headlights and slightly changed fenders, different air intakes, bigger outside mirrors, new exhaust outlets and new wheels.

It all comes together without significantly changing the car’s look. You’d have to be a real Porsche person to notice the difference without the ’08 and ’09 models being parked side by side.

The interior is beautifully done even if it is set up for just two people – and there’s not much space to put anything in the cabin save for a small shelf located behind and between the seats.

On the plus side, the leather trimmed seats are supremely comfortable and the switches and knobs have been reorganized into something that resembles efficiency. The navigation system helps because it also handles audio controls. The cupholders tuck away neatly behind a bar in the dash, but I don’t recommend depending on them holding much. Cupholders are not the forte of Porsche engineers, since they don’t believe in sipping beverages while driving.

Cruise controls and information system controls are mounted on separate steering column stalks, leaving the steering wheel for driving and, in this case, shifting gears with the PDK shift buttons.

And that brings me to the big change: that transmission. The dual clutch makes shifts much faster than could the most accomplished driver with a manual shifter; the only reason to row your own is because you like the feeling. Otherwise, the electronics will do it better.

You can shift manually if you like (and even that is faster than if you’re using your left foot to operate a clutch) with either the console-mounted shift lever or with the shift buttons on the steering wheel.

Porsche is the master at the steering wheel shift systems. You can shift up or down with either hand. To downshift simply pull up on the button behind the wheel, to upshift just roll your hand slightly inward from the 9 and 3 position. It’s that simple.

The simplicity has more than a performance benefit – it’s lighter than the six-speed Tiptronic and helps Boxster achieve better fuel consumption figures.

Engineers gave the suspension a bit of a tweak just to tighten things up a bit. I thought the previous Boxster was a blast to drive; this one turns every twist, every turn, into a delightful “S” bend.

Cornering is flat, precise and the car holds the road like it was glued there.

We even have a smattering of snow during our time together and the Boxster, equipped with proper snow tires, hardly notices that white stuff on the driving surface - proving you don’t have to mothball a Porsche in winter ... just give it the right shoes.

On the highway, the ride is surprisingly compliant—taut, but not jarring.

Wind noise is minimal and, with the top down, the optional wind blocker keeps the passenger compartment turbulence-free.

With the top up, you will hear the engine as it works its magic just behind you. But it’s not an annoying sound. It’s music.