Soon Volkswagen won't be the only automaker with a dual-clutch transmission on the market. Word from British auto mag CAR is that Mitsubishi will fit its upcoming EVO X super sedan with a similar six-speed transmission that employs two clutches. The transmission simultaneously allows one clutch to engage and another to disengage making for faster and smoother shifts than normal sequential gear boxes. VW's Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) has been on the market since 2002 and some believed the automaker would hold a monopoly on this type of transmission for some time since it developed the technology completely in-house. Any rival gearbox will probably run the risk of stepping on a few of VW patents, but CAR reports that Mitsubishi likely tapped an outside supplier to develop its version. Mitsubishi's six-speed dual-clutch transmission will also need to be one beefy piece of hardware in order to handle the supposed 300+ horsepower the EVO X is expected to generate. A traditional six-speed transmission will also be offered with the car for traditionalists.
[Source: CAR]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tim UF @ Aug 23rd 2006 3:08PM
I can't remember where i saw this (edmunds insideline maybe?) but i know i read it about a month ago...
nltankontop @ Aug 23rd 2006 3:12PM
Good for Mitsu, can't wait for the evo X
bgdc @ Aug 23rd 2006 3:13PM
Um, guys the Bugatti Veyron uses a DSG so it's not like it's tough to make a DSG support high torque motors.
pooks @ Aug 23rd 2006 3:16PM
3. Um, guys the Bugatti Veyron uses a DSG so it's not like it's tough to make a DSG support high torque motors.
Umm who owns Bugatti???
magilson @ Aug 23rd 2006 3:24PM
VW did not completely develop this trans in house, as the author incorrectly points out. It was done in conjunction with Borg-Warner. However, it seems neither company is in a hurry to liscense this technology so it will be interesting to see how it is accomplished on the Evo.
Dr. Woo @ Aug 23rd 2006 3:35PM
Borg-Warner is the creator of the DSG used on VW's mainstream cars, while the DSG used in the Veyron is not.
The mainstream DSG is also built in Japan.
pavster @ Aug 23rd 2006 3:43PM
Plenty of rumours running wild that BMW will be getting a DSG in a year ro so... tis the future. Good-bye, clutch pedal.
jason seto @ Aug 23rd 2006 3:54PM
http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=96189
"The first application of BorgWarner DualTronic, the company's wet-clutch and control-system technology for a new concept automated transmission, will debut on the VW Golf R32 DSG beginning next month, and on the Audi TT 3.2 beginning in March. The new technology enables a manual transmission to evolve and perform like an automatic transmission, yet deliver significantly improved vehicle fuel economy over automatic transmissions of today. The initials DSG stand for direct-shifting gearbox."
fyi, the dualtronic comes out of a plant in france - i can't find any reference to a plant in japan.
Keith Russell @ Aug 23rd 2006 3:57PM
Dual-clutch transmissions have been used in racing before. In fact, Audi used them in their quattro rally cars. Chrysler used a dual-clutch racing gearbox in the ME412 prototype (although the name of the manufacturer escapes me at the moment).
And I think Borg-Warner's exclusivity deal with Volkswagen is up soon, so I wouldn't be surprised if DSGs didn't start showing up elsewhere pretty soon.
PJ @ Aug 23rd 2006 4:00PM
"A traditional six-speed transmission will also be offered with the car for traditionalists."
Take note, VW and Audi. *That's* how it's done.
retsel @ Aug 23rd 2006 4:22PM
a Bugatti Veyron takes over $7000000.00 to make... and has 1001 BHP... and have a gearbox that should last 20 years... i wonder what that gearbox is made of... maybe adamantium
Steve @ Aug 23rd 2006 4:23PM
From autospies:
The twin/dual clutch gearbox was invented by Andolphe Kégresse in the late 1930s.
Known as the "Transmission autoserve Kégresse" it was intended for the legendary Citroen Traction Avant.
However, due to circumstances, it never made into the Traction Avant.
After improvements it was presented at the 1947 Salon de Paris on a Citroen 11 CV.
After more than 45 years since Andolphe Kégresse first created it, Porsche had the PDK twin-clutch put into their endurance racers. This PDK gearbox was also used by Audi in their some of their rally cars.
Today BorgWarner is currently the leading manufacturer of this type of transmission.
They are most commonly sold under the name Direct-Shift Gearbox, as sold by Volkswagen Group.
In August 2005 BorgWarner, who call their technology "DualTronic", signed further agreements with two other (unnamed) European automotive manufacturers to incorporate their gearbox.
Dr. Woo @ Aug 23rd 2006 4:27PM
"Take note, VW and Audi. *That's* how it's done."
Which car are you referring to? The Veyron?
All other models are offered with a standard transmission on top of the DSG, if it is offered.
GLI: MT, DSG
GTI: MT, DSG
A3: MT, DSG
TT: MT, DSG
Golf R32: MT, DSG
So tell VW-Audi again how it's done...?
Chris @ Aug 23rd 2006 4:45PM
I recently drove a GLI with the DSG...GREAT transmission, matching revs on downshifts and very quick upshifts. The DSG in the R32 will be impressive.
However, does anyone besides myself not care for the turbo power delivery? Tested the WRX and Evo IX and although good power; they aren't very smooth...almost jerky as you roll into the throttle.
Chris
David @ Aug 23rd 2006 5:08PM
Dr. Woo (#12) -- yes, you are correct in noting that VW/Audi offers both "true" manual and DSG in those models, however, VW/Audi does not offer a "true" manual in each flavor of each model. For example, in the U.S. one cannot (currently) get a 6 speed manual with the 3.2 V6 on the A3. Also, the new Mark V VW R32 will be DSG only. Another gap, is that there are several flavors of those models that don't offer DSG + quattro (in the U.S., anyway).
PJ @ Aug 23rd 2006 5:18PM
Dr. Woo - I was specifically referring to the A3 3.2 and prev-gen TT 3.2. I had also heard that the new R32 would be DSG-only, but I could be wrong about this.
There have been others in the past that, DSG aside, have disappointed me for being auto-only: the S6, A6, allroad V8, Passat AWD wagon, and the current 3.6 Passat, for example.
I get especially bitter about these because the A3 3.2, TT 3.2, and Passat AWD wagon were cars I would have loved to own if they had come with a true manual.
Taylor Alexander @ Aug 23rd 2006 5:19PM
"3. Um, guys the Bugatti Veyron uses a DSG so it's not like it's tough to make a DSG support high torque motors."
Yeah, because building that transmission wasn't tough at all...
DPC car videos @ Aug 23rd 2006 5:23PM
starting to like this, with DSG type trans this car will be unbeatable in canyons.
Steve @ Aug 23rd 2006 5:23PM
Yay! the Evo will finally be on my list!
Dr. Woo @ Aug 23rd 2006 5:33PM
PJ,
Blame America's obsession with the automatic transmission and the high cost-to-sales ratio of bringing over a manual for niche cars. The new R32, not available in America yet, is available with either a 6-speed manual or the DSG over the pond, but there is a rumor, as you stated, that it will be either DSG-only or 6MT-only. There is a poll on VWVortex for VWoA on which you would buy.
The same applies to the 3.2. In Europe, you can get a 6-speed stir-it-yourself or the DSG. Here...well, you know the answer.
Consider the previous-gen TT 3.2 an exercise in engineering. Let me assure you that the next one will get it right.
The others you mentioned apply to the first point...high cost-to-sales ratio. The amount of money involved in bringing over manuals is too high to justify the meager sales they would acquire.
Disappointing, I know. And I'm with you, really...my GTI is a 6-speed.