Volkswagen's dual-clutch gearbox (DSG) has proven that a balance can be struck between driver involvement and running the daily slog without a cramped left leg, with a bump in fuel economy to boot. As reported earlier this year, VW has plans to introduce another cog onto its six-speed DSG unit, while at the same time dropping the wet clutch arrangement for a dry-clutch setup. Now it's official: the new seven-speed DSG not only boasts another gear and dry clutches, but it's the first time the DSG transmission is able to be mounted for a front-traverse setup.The seven-speed 'box will originally be available on the Golf and Golf Plus models abroad, equipped with the 1.4-liter TSI engine and 1.9-liter TDI mill, and the 1,750 euro premium over the base model also includes a hill-start assist system. The next generation, Borg-Warner-developed DSG has the capacity to channel 184 lb.-ft. of torque to the wheels, which should suit both models well, but it will need some beefing up before it becomes standard on more performance-oriented models.
PRESS RELEASE
GROUND BREAKING NEW SEVEN-SPEED DSG GEARBOX SET TO DEBUT IN GOLF
The latest evolution of Volkswagen's pioneering DSG twin-clutch gearbox, now featuring seven gears, greater efficiency and a more compact design is set to make its debut in the new year.
The new transversely mounted seven-speed DSG gearbox is revolutionary. It distances itself from the existing six-speed DSG gearbox, which uses a pair of clutches immersed in oil, by adopting a pair of dry clutches. This not only saves considerable weight and improves the efficiency of the system but also makes the new gearbox more compact.
Available in addition to, rather than replacing, the existing DSG gearbox the new seven-speed DSG system is designed to operate under moderate power and torque loadings. From launch the new gearbox will be available linked to the new 1.4-litre TSI 122 PS engine.
In the Golf hatchback, compared with the six-speed manual version, the new seven-speed DSG brings a 10 g/km CO2 saving (down from 149 g/km in the manual to 139) and a fuel economy improvement of over 3 mpg (combined 44.8 mpg for manual and 47.9 for seven-speed DSG). It is also possible to combine this gearbox with the 1.9-litre TDI diesel unit with Diesel Particulate Filter.
With the addition of an extra ratio the new gearbox allows the seven-speed DSG system to deliver the seemingly contradictory virtues of greater performance combined with greater economy. The lower gears are more closely spaced, meaning in-gear acceleration is improved to aid overtaking manoeuvres, while the higher gears are lengthened to reduce loading on the engine and maximise economy.
As with the six-speed DSG gearbox, of which over a million have been produced since launch, the new seven-speed system features a hill-hold function to aid starts when the vehicle is on an incline.
The new seven-speed gearbox will make its debut in the UK in February and is now open for ordering at any Volkswagen Retailer. Prices will start at £15,982 when applied to the Golf S 1.4-litre TSI 122 PS.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
summazooma @ Dec 21st 2007 3:25PM
All of VW's DSGs are transverse, I believe, with longitudinal trannies still in the pipeline. The clue is that this 7-speed is "in addition to, rather than replacing,..." the existing 6-speed.
Kevin C @ Dec 21st 2007 5:08PM
all dsg's are transverse yes. vw/borg warner hasnot made a longitidunal dsg yet.. unless its the veyron, but i dont think borg warner makes that box.
and since the new dsg box has less power handling than the current one, it wont replace it. definitely wont.
Kevin C @ Dec 21st 2007 5:08PM
all dsg's are transverse yes. vw/borg warner hasnot made a longitidunal dsg yet.. unless its the veyron, but i dont think borg warner makes that box.
and since the new dsg box has less power handling than the current one, it wont replace it. definitely wont.
Temple @ Dec 21st 2007 5:10PM
>>all dsg's are transverse yes. vw/borg warner hasnot made a longitidunal dsg yet.. unless its the veyron, but i dont think borg warner makes that box.
Nope, the Veyron "dsg" is made by Ricardo.
summazooma @ Dec 21st 2007 7:38PM
Yes, actually, I knew that but I've become shy about being too forceful... I've had nasty comments made on something I posted, even when I had demonstrable proof.
On another note,... I'd be, what, the sixth to pick the M/T over an A/T for even the most hardened commute, though I have to admit that the latest DCTs make me waver for a few reasons:
1) The shift times are amazing and, frankly, I can't keep up, double-clutching/heel-and-toeing as best as I can...;
2) A good DCT underfoot is s-o-o-o-o-o-o much more fulfilling than even a tiptronic A/T, with the rev-matching downshifts, paddleshifters, et al...;
3) My wife will drive my 'speed3 but would rather drive an A/T in traffic (She had a 993 M/T when I met her); A DCT would be the best compromise for both of us in a car that we'd both WANT to drive... of course, that means I'd have to share
summazooma @ Dec 21st 2007 7:43PM
One last comment...
Yes, I know the G35 has a tiptronic tranny with paddles and rev-matching on downshifts...
And, my wife has corrected me on one point: Rather than "of course, that means I'd have to share", that last post should read "of course, that means we'd have to share... or, at least, my wife would have to share."...
To borrow a quote from a failed Acura ad campaign, "Some things are worth the price"
Kevin @ Dec 21st 2007 3:37PM
"...balance can be struck between driver involvement and running the daily slog without a cramped left leg."
Am I the only person that can drive a car with three pedals through 30 miles of stop-and-go traffic and not care at all?
MUSASHI66 @ Dec 21st 2007 3:38PM
No, but most people seem to be complaining about it.
leather bear @ Dec 21st 2007 4:01PM
“Am I the only person that can drive a car with three pedals through 30 miles of stop-and-go traffic and not care at all?”
Well, it looks like there’s at least three of us!
I might consider a DSG if it was offered in one (or more) of the cars I was considering, provided there wasn't a $1000+ surcharge to delete the left-most pedal.
Kevin @ Dec 21st 2007 6:17PM
I probably wouldn't buy a DSG period in most cars; in fact, I'd pay more to have a conventional stick in most cases.
I can see it in something like the Veyron or even as an option in say, a 911 Turbo. But in a cheap, sporty car like the VWs or even a cheap sports car like my STI, I'd rather have a stick. I think it's more in keeping with the nature of the car, even if it is slower than a DSG.
Dondonel @ Dec 21st 2007 3:43PM
Nissan GT-R's gearbox is going to be the first DCT installed longitudinally on a mass production vehicle (Veyron has the first one, but that's not a mass produced car). All previous DCTs were mounted transversely. So far, all mass produced DCTs were made by Borg-Warner.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Dec 21st 2007 7:05PM
I believe the GT-R shipped about 18 days ago now, so it's no longer future tense.
psarhjinian @ Dec 21st 2007 3:43PM
I'd be interested in reading about the mechanical sustainability of newer transmission designs. Automatics seem inherently problematic and somewhat difficult to repair (if you get a bad tranmission, you're in for a world of hurt) while the traditional manual is actually quite simple.
CVTs seem like a simpler concept than DSGs, but I haven't found (and would like to hear an engineer's opinion on) how, in theory, both DSGs and CVTs compare in term of reliability.
leather bear @ Dec 21st 2007 4:19PM
I can appreciate the engineering and logic behind a CVT, but my partner’s Prius is way too anodyne for me (it brings back college memories of riding around in a buddy’s BMW 1602 with a bad clutch). Plus (on the Prius, anyway), there’s no way for DIY gear selection when I might want to do a little corner carving. At least some marques offer CVTs that do this via a “Sport” mode (Audi, Nissan, etc.).
I’m still a little leery of the DSG from a reliability standpoint; personally, I’d give the design another few years to accumulate real road miles at the hands of the average clueless owner before checking the DSG box on the new car order form (that, or step up for the extended warranty…).
graviton @ Dec 21st 2007 3:53PM
Now if VW could increase their reliability they would be well on their way to achieving their goal of top auto manufacturer. They already have one of the best design teams next to Mazda and model name recognition make the cars last a good 5-6 years before a major repair is needed and they will have many devoted buyers.
Amir Zand @ Dec 21st 2007 4:23PM
“Am I the only person that can drive a car with three pedals through 30 miles of stop-and-go traffic and not care at all?”
"Well, it looks like there’s at least three of us!"
make it four! I am in!
as long as I have four functioning limbs no DSG for me!
hp5784 @ Dec 21st 2007 5:31PM
Am I the only person that can drive a car with three pedals through 30 miles of stop-and-go traffic and not care at all?”
"Well, it looks like there’s at least three of us!"
"make it four! I am in!"
now are five, i´m in
tekdemon @ Dec 21st 2007 10:35PM
It's not the 30 miles that bothered me. It's the 1/2 mile trying to get from Queens to Manhattan during rush hour, where it's not really stop and go so much as stop, shift to move 20 feet, stop, stop, stop, stop, prepare to move since you think traffic is moving, realize it's not moving, stop, stop, stop, stop...repeat for 90 minutes. Luckily I only had to do this once, but there's no joy in shifting between neutral, first, and second gears for 90 minutes. And yeah you could keep it in first most of the time but then you'd have to keep your foot on the clutch for 90 minutes, and when you're sitting in traffic for for 10 minutes at a time it's just easier to shift into neutral and wait.
j_diesel @ Dec 21st 2007 5:41PM
i don't think the new TDI will be far off the maximum torque limit of this trans. i'd expect it to exceed it actually. going to need more transmission there boys.
Random Task @ Dec 22nd 2007 5:12AM
Are these DSGs doing ok reliability wise so far in the GTIs?