Automatic for the people

Automatic-shifting dual-clutch transmissions are poised to grab share from traditional transmissions thanks to their combination of efficiency and convenience.

When Volkswagen debuted its DSG (direct shift gearbox) dual-clutch transmission in the 2003 Golf R32, its smooth, quick automatic gear changes, fuel economy, and feeling of more driver involvement than a traditional torque converter planetary automatic transmission made the impression that this technology would quickly carve market share out of both the manual transmission and planetary automatic transmission segments.

That may yet prove to be the case, but as often happens when a new technology challenges an entrenched incumbent technology, the incumbent quickly finds improvements that blunt the challenger's appeal.