Double-Clutch transmission

[500ZHP]

Last night I had the opportunity to have dinner with both the lead engineer in charge of the M3 project and an BMW Motorsport executive at the M3 press event. One of the more interesting bits of information that we chatted about was the new M DCT transmission that the M3 will offer this summer. It’s a Dual Clutch transmission that promises to be all things to all people. Apparently BMW has so much faith in the technology that they will be replacing the automatic in the 3 Series altogether next year for a non-M version of this dual clutch transmission.

Based on their technical similarity, you could expect the transmission to potentially find it’s way to both the 1 Series and the X3 in the near future as well.

http://motoringfile.com/pictures/m3/P0042398.jpg

http://www.bimmerfile.com/

This is going to be interesting. I would not want it myself, unless I am doing 100% city driving.

[Infidel]

Why not, DCT is very similar to DSG in the vw 2.0t gti. ask around and people love the dual clutch trannys.

think about it, you will never ever be able to shift as fast as this setup, ever. and unlike an automatic, there is no torque converter to lose power on.

Now I wouldn't want it, but for a completely different reason. It's added complexity that if it fails, will cost far more to repair than just a 6 speed manual tranny.

But given the chance, I would love to drive one. I missed the opportunity to drive Chris's DSG GTI when he was here. He loves it. I'm sure he'll chime in soon.

[MachSchnell]

Indeed I will do some chiming! :wave:

My DSG equipped GTI is the first "automatic" I have driven in years, my first choice would have been a traditional manual but my wife needed to drive my car from time to time and doesn't drive a standard. So, the DSG was MUCH more attractive to me than a conventional slushbox.

I miss the stick-shift sometimes, and other times I think I would never get another manual. The shifts are fast and smooth, and the paddles are really fun to play with in traffic. I do a good bit of city driving and the DSG is completely in it's element there as well.

But, on a back-country road I still miss rowing through the gears tremendously. And, now that my wife is in her new 'Reg she no longer has a desire to drive my car, so my next car is very likely to be a manual.

If you really need an automatic, but don't particularly want one, a dual clutch transmission is the way to go. If you get one even though you really like shifting gears you might be dissapointed. I really like mine, it's been great fun and the performance has been great. But.....