Video: Is the DSG Gearbox The Wave of The Future?

Well, actually it's already reality. But this article is a very nice read, giving you some background information.



The VAG Direct Shift Gearbox - sometimes called the S-Tronic in the Audi range - is the world's first production dual clutch semi automatic gearbox. The system was developed for Audi by BorgWarner for use in the companies Audi TT 3.2V6, and was so well received it is now used in much of the Volkswagen Audi Group range.

The DSG is often compared to F1 style automated or robotic manual gearboxes, but differs in some very important ways.

The DSG box takes the basic idea of pneumatic clutched boxes a step further. The heart of the DSG comes from the fact it has two clutches. The basic idea being that the gearbox can then have two gears engaged at any one time, one driving the car, the other waiting to take over.

The clutch arrangement is setup for odds and evens, where clutch 1 operates the 1-3-5 gears and clutch 2 operates 2-4-6.

DSG works by allowing the software to decide what gear the car will need next, and then pre-selects it. If you are accelerating, it will have the next gear up, and likewise if decelerating, the next gear down.

The system can then watch for a change signal - this is either done by clicking the corresponding paddle by the driver, or if in full auto mode the computer - and the gearbox can then tell the currently disengaged clutch (the one driving) to engage, and at the same time tells the engaged clutch (the pre-selected gear) to disengage. In this way the driver and passengers do not experience the on-off-on feeling associated with manual gearboxes. Instead, the gear change feels much more like that of an automatic gearbox.

However, because the change happens so quickly - around 8 milliseconds - the engine can maintain drive and the losses involved in the gear change are much reduced. This can be seen visually in the video below.



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GermanNutGermanNut - 11/10/2006 10:35:21 AM
-1 Boost
Yes, the DSG is the wave of the future.

BMW is in the process of developing it's own DSG.

Mercedes-Benz is looking to follow suit and Volvo has already started with their DSG.

Let it be known that Audi and the Volkswagen group were the first to use DSG in their product line.

The DSG is the direct reason why the S6 with DSG defeated the BMW M5 with SMG.

Hence the superiority of Audi's DSG to BMW's SMG.


DarkOneForceDarkOneForce - 11/10/2006 2:33:46 PM
+1 Boost
The S6 never defeated the M5 in performance and handling.

Stop with the non-sense.

Also it's not mentioned here that the dual only works at upshifts, not on downshifts unlike the SMG.

Again the S6 never defeated the M5 in performance and handling.

Stop with the non-sense.


S4cabriofoxS4cabriofox - 11/10/2006 11:31:46 PM
+1 Boost
"The S6 never defeated the M5 in performance and handling. "

No, you're right, it didn't. And it is not meant to.

But, there was a (Motor Trend? Automobile?) comparison involving the S6, M5 and E63 AMG. The M5 came in last, the E63 in first. You know the rest. It lost simply because of the crappy transmission, and techno overkill. They had to pick their transmission and spring settings every time they started the car. I know that this will be fixed in 2007 with the introduction of the manual transmission M5. It was an odd omission for BMW- but I'm glad they're going back to their roots.


DarkOneForceDarkOneForce - 11/11/2006 11:07:36 AM
+1 Boost
You're right.

But the crappy transmission isn't really crapy and it's actually livable with its overkill.

That comes from real owners, just check M5board.

The transmission might not be perfect but its livable with and ruthlessly effiecient.

And then, there's the M button.



S4cabriofoxS4cabriofox - 11/11/2006 5:34:41 PM
+1 Boost
"The transmission might not be perfect but its livable with and ruthlessly effiecient."

But it's a little embarrassing for BMW that the DSG really is just about perfect. I know from personal experience. The upshifts are smooth and barely noticeable, but when it shifts, you still hear a ferocious, inline-four growl from the A3's exhaust. When you really go flat-out in that pocket rocket, it overtakes anything and everything in its path. It really is the quickest automatic transmission you'll ever have the honor to drive.


audiotaudiot - 11/10/2006 11:42:11 AM
-1 Boost
DSG, DSG, DSG. Whatever.


02WRX02WRX - 11/10/2006 11:45:10 AM
+2 Boost
"Direct Shift Gearbox" Gearbox?


bigslick83bigslick83 - 11/10/2006 1:45:10 PM
+1 Boost
kudos to audi. but they will still be left with interiors once other car makers evolve this tech to a better standard.


DarkOneForceDarkOneForce - 11/10/2006 2:40:39 PM
+3 Boost
Back on topic, ofcourse dual clutches are the way of the future.


MunichRobMunichRob - 11/10/2006 9:17:48 PM
0 Boost
"GermanNut" I know your making reference to the Car & Driver article awhile back with the S6, M5, & E63 AMG. That's only one article...I've seen; as I'm sure many others have aswell seen, more articles with the M5 coming out the clear winner over the S6.

The M5's real competition right now is the E63...I don't care if I'm off topic on this one, I'm saying it anyways.


S4cabriofoxS4cabriofox - 11/10/2006 11:33:23 PM
0 Boost
No, actually- I have never seen another comparison involving the S6 and M5.

I know the M5 is a better performance sedan. It's worth the premium, and they're in different classes. I was surprised that it lost. The S6 is for someone who doesn't need 500hp (who actually does?) and wants a more comfortable sports sedan.


GermanNutGermanNut - 11/11/2006 10:53:37 AM
+1 Boost
Ever hear of Audi RS6 kids?
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