VW to Replace Autos with DSG Transmissions Over Next Five Years
June 30, 2006 – 8:30 am by Dan Volkens
Filed under Volkswagen Eos, Volkswagen GTI, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen New Beetle, Volkswagen Passat, Volkswagen R32, Volkswagen Rabbit
Volkswagen has opted to swap out its venerable automatic transmissions with the new dual-clutch DSG in all models with transverse-mounted engines. Methinks I like this idea.
Though I haven’t test driven a model with the DSG transmission yet (I hope to soon), I think this is a good move on Volkswagen’s part. The DSG’s have now been proven to provide better fuel economy, smoother shifting and greater reliability compared to the old slushbox, according to Wolfgang Bernhard, head of VW Brand mgmt. And who wouldn’t like to be able to shift with F1-style paddles mounted on the back of the steering wheel? Yeah I know, I know, diehard manual fans puke at the thought.
VW currently offers the DSG on the Jetta with a 2.0l turbo, the Jetta GLI and TDI models, GTI and the New Beetle TDI. The DSG transmission functions like two automatics mated together. One clutch works the odd gears, the other even. The smooth transition between gears is accomplished by keeping one clutch open at all times, ready to receive the next shift. The increase in fuel economy is because of the speed of the gear shift and no torque converter to lose power to, like in automatics.
Volkswagen will be building the DSG’s in house at its factory in Kassel, Germany, which begs the question: will VW transmission quality go up? Some might say it can only go up from here. ;) Early in this transition, it will cost Volkswagen about the same amount to build the DSG’s as it would to purchase automatics, but they hope to cut that cost throughout the transition.
VW to Replace Autos with DSG Transmissions Over Next Five Years
June 30, 2006 – 8:30 am by Dan Volkens
I think this is a good think, granted that we can still get manuals.
Good article about this here. I am especially amused by the line about how the original automatic tranny was marketed in the 1940’s as the transmission for women who “had trouble grasping the operation of a clutch”. Wonder if that’s how they’ll market the DSG, hah.
Haha, you tell ‘em Beckers, as you roll in your manual thugbug. :D
well, i am having to replace my manual tranmission after 63,000 miles without the dealership recognizing this as a design flaw. so i definitely think VW needs to do something to regain the faces of the customers who have turned their backs to them forever. payback with quality.