Fiat is joining the race to dual clutch gearboxes with a range of new transmissions that will be debuting in June 2009. The lineup of six-speed gearboxes will kick off with a manual transmission followed by a dual clutch unit in September of 2009. In 2010 they will round out the range with an automated manual version.
Construction of the $530 million dollar plant being built by Chrysler and Getrag in Kokomo, Indiana, has been suspended indefinitely due to a contract dispute between the two companies. Neither Chrysler nor Getrag were willing to specify the exact reason for the stoppage, the only word from Chrysler to Automotive News was that it hopes the dispute can be resolved so that the transm
Dual clutch transmissions are all the rage these days because they combine the mechanical efficiency of a manual transmission with the ability of automatic transmissions to self-shift. Volkswagen was the first to introduce them to production cars under the DSG name a few years ago. Now they are starting to appear in vehicles from other manufacturers such as Volvo, Ford and Mitsubishi. Earlier this year, Chrysler announced they were building a joint venture transmission plant to build DCTs with G
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 seve
Along with seemingly every other automaker in the European market, Volvo is set to expand the special branding that indicates the most efficient models in each of their lines. While Volkswagen has chosen to go with the more abstract BlueMotion label and Ford is mashing up words to create Sam Abuelsamid
The burgeoning interest in dual clutch gearboxes should be big business for Getrag over the next few years. Because a dual clutch transmission (DCT) combines the greater efficiency of a manual with full automatic shift capability they are being installed in more vehicles all the time. The first widespread use of DCTs was on Volkswagen and Audi models in the last few years with their Borg-Warner-built DSG units.
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The dual-clutch gearbox was originally conceived back in the 1930s by half-track inventor Adolphe Kégresse, but its first practical application didn't appear until nearly six decades later in the back end of some Porsche 956 and 962 race cars and some Audi rally cars. For whatever reason, Porsche dropped the idea in favor manually shifted automatic TipTronic gearboxes for its production cars.
Earlier this week, after the groundbreaking for Chrysler's new axle plant near Marysville, Michigan, company spokesman David Elshoff spoke to the Worldwide Automotive Report. The new axles to be built at the plant are designed to help improve the fuel efficiency of both the Chrysler and Mercedes cars and trucks they go into.
Late next year, dual clutch gearboxes will cease to be a Volkswagen Group exclusive when Volvo introduces a similar design in their S40/V50 models. The dual clutch gearbox first appeared in the mid-1980s in some Porsche 962 endurance racers and Audi Quattro rally cars. They disappeared through most of the 1990s until a few years ago when they started appearing on some VW and Audi models. Since then they have become a popular option where they're available. Since they're essentially the same as m
Whatever stance you take in the automatic versus manual debate, if you haven't done so already, go out and sample a VW or Audi product equipped with the DSG transmission. All the positives – quicker shifts, better fuel economy, geek-cred – far outweigh the negatives and the fact that Porsche, BMW and even Chrysler are looking to develop their own dual-clutch gearbox, should tell you that DSGs are here to stay. Add to the fact that they may also be cheaper to produce and service, it d
The dual-clutch gearbox's popularity has grown immensely over the past three years and that popularity only stands to grow. Average motorists have enjoyed the DSG's smooth shifting and economical fuel consumption, while enthusiasts appreciate the trick technology and uber-quick gear changes. Volkswagen already announced that they plan on replacing all their automatic transmission vehicles with DSG in the next five years and here's a stat for you -- half of all GTIs sold are equipped with paddle
The Bosch Group and the Getrag Group announced Tuesday that they will partner to develop and market parallel hybrid systems to provide a near-turnkey hybrid solution to automakers.
