Yup. And the latest Porsche Tiptronic Turbo is faster that the manual car. Automatics have always benefitted from better torque multiplication and no loss of rpm between shifts. But now, the power is getting through as well. That is mostly due to advancements in torque converter design. The Ferrari still uses a clutch, but the Turbo has a converter.
We developed torque converters in conjunction with Pro Torque that are specifically engineered for pro-touring cars. That means short tires and overdrive. Called MuscleDrive, our converters start with high efficiency turbines and impellors, custom built stators, high surface area, ceramic impregnated lock up clutches and race grade parts such as billet steel front covers, torrington bearings, anti-balloon plates and more.
The typical "street/strip" converter will yield slippage and power loss under part throttle application. Street/strip converters are spec'd for best WOT performance, but ignore the rest of the powerband. They're also cheap which means that they start with turbines and impellors from a 1980-something Oldsmobuick. Lock up versions have clutches that are typically no wider than a shoelace. OE style narrow clutches are only useful for light load highway cruising.
MuscleDrive converters achieve high coupling efficiency at a very low rpm. Stall speeds are calibrated for part throttle performance. The wide area ceramic impregnated lock up clutch can be applied over a wide rpm range. The lock-up clutch is strong enough to stay applied at WOT. And when you take your foot off the gas to dive into a turn, then engine and trans are directly coupled in lock up, so the converter tugs on the motor--just like a manual. I could throw you in the passenger seat, blind-fold you and tell you that you're driving in a car with a sequential manual.
Yeah....Technology is great.