Dual Clutch Automatics

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Danoff

Danoff

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I searched and couldn't find a thread on this. I'm wondering which cars/manufacturers have dual-clutch autos, and who is coming out with one in 2010. I know Porsche does, likewise for Volkswagen and Audi. Pretty sure BMW has one available. Nissan does too - but only on the GTR so far (best I can tell). The 370Z might get one for 2010? That's about all I've got. Know of any others?

I ask because the old lady wants to get an automatic for her next car, but she wants it to be sporty. I figure the dual-clutch auto with a manual mode (preferably paddles) would be the way to go. If you've drive one, feel free to talk about your experience.

Thanks for the help.
- Dan
 
I have a VW with the DSG gearbox. It's certainly not a "sporty" model (Passat Estate 2.0 TDI) but I honestly don't understand why any manufacturer would want to offer anything but this type of gearbox as an option for an automatic gearbox. The tiptronics and multitronics are just yesterdays news compared to this. Get one (with flappy paddles)
 
Looks like there are plenty of manufacturers that are working on them.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, Mercedes AMG Series, GM vehicles by 2012, Ford by 2010, 2009 Cayman, Boxster and Panamera and the 2010 Cayenne, etc.

Any price range in particular you're looking at? Manufacturers you'd prefer to stay away from? Coupe or sedan? Blah, blah, blah...
 
Thanks for the list TB. I should always remember to start with wikipedia. Price range is under $70k. Not that I'm going to purchase anything that costs that much, but I look at cars quite differently above that level.

So in addition to that list, for 2010 we have perhaps the 370Z, more Porsches, and some Fords.

Cohiba, you have tiptronic-style manumatic, or paddles?
 
Surprisingly, I think Hyundai is working on one for the Veloster concept's transition to reality.
 
There's nothing really wrong with it. It's just so much more fun with the paddles if you want to drive actively. At least that was what I thought when I tested a Golf (Rabbit to you?) that had them.
 
Danoff
If you've drive one, feel free to talk about your experience.
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2006 Volkswagen GTI

I'd still rather the car be a stick, but I just love the DSG gearbox. The lightning fast shifts are really exciting, especially because turbo-ed cars won't be caught off boost after every shift. The feeling that the gas pedal, engine and wheels are directly connected is great as well. You hit the gas, and the car just goes. It doesn't rev up first and doesn't wait around to downshift (unless you're in auto mode); it just goes. And when it goes, it's nice having the tach accelerating with the rest of the car.

However, be careful because it is very difficult to be smooth in a DSG car. At least, 2006 is a little rough. When traffic is moving very slowly (~10 mph) and you're in first, the car lurches as the clutch engages and disengages as the gas is pressed or lifted. Parking is also a challenge because when I let off the brake, the car sits for a bit and then the clutch engages and it accelerates pretty abruptly. It'll also roll a bit on big hills, so watch out for that. Downshifts can also take forever and a half and be jerky.

In snow? Forget it. When it got slippery for me over the winter, there wasn't much room at all between no power and the clutch engaging and getting wheelspin. But I'm also a snow noob. The GTI will always be in 1st gear below ~8 mph, so 2nd gear starts won't happen.

So yeah. It's a great gearbox, but it has a couple issues with it. Maybe some of the newer units have fixed some of the problems I have. 2006 was one of the very first years these things were on the market. The driving experience is excellent though. Good enough that I never use drive unless it's that 3 AM trip home very tired. But it'll take some getting used to.

Danoff
What don't you like about the lever?
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There's nothing wrong with the lever. Sometimes I just ignore the paddles on the steering wheel and just use the lever, so there's nothing wrong with it. And I've driven cars with just the sport shifter on the console, and driving them wasn't an issue at all.
 

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