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"Direct-Shift Gearbox
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Direct-Shift Gearbox (Direktschaltgetriebe) is a semi-automatic transmission invented by BorgWarner and initially licenced to Volkswagen (which also owns the Audi, Seat, Bentley and Skoda brands). By using two clutches, fast shifts can be achieved, and the inefficient torque converter of a regular automatic transmission is eliminated.
Essentially, the engine drives two clutch packs simultaneously. The outer clutch pack drives gears 1, 3, and 5 (and reverse). The inner clutch pack drives gears 2, 4, and 6. Instead of a standard large clutch plate, each clutch pack is a collection of four smaller stacked clutch plates, due to space constraints. Because the alternate clutch pack's gearing can be pre-selected, upshifts occur in an impressive 8ms, though downshifts still take 600 to 900ms.
This type of transmission is finding increasing popularity in Europe, and apparently also in America although some say CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) is more popular in the US. BorgWarner who call their technology "DualTronic" have just (Aug 2005) signed further agreements with two other (unnamed) European Automotive manufacturers to incorporate their gearbox. VW group vehicles available in Europe with the DSG gearbox include:
Audi TT and A3
VW Passat, Golf/Jetta and Touran
Seat Altea, Toledo and Leon
Skoda Octavia and Fabia. "
I'm not saying its right or wrong as its wikipedia but hey, just thought I'd mention it!
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