VW Voluntarily Recalls 13,500 Vehicles Over DSG Transmission Woes

VW of America says a small number of Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GTI, and Eos models built between September 2008 and August 2009 may have faulty DSG transmissions and has recalled 2009 and some 2010 vehicles. [PRNewswire]

NHTSA Opens Investigation Of Volkswagen DSG Transmissions

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into Volkswagen's DSG transmission after complaints from owners. More »

Getrag US Files For Bankruptcy After Chrysler Lawsuit, Transmission Plant Sits Unfinished

If you need more proof Chrysler is going to have a rough future, check out the bankruptcy filings for Getrag Transmission Manufacturing. The non-Ford US arm of transmission manufacturer Getrag filed for bankruptcy protection because it will be unable to pay for an Indiana plant it was supposed to build with Chrysler. We reported last year about the $530 million plant that was going to build a six-speed DSG gearbox for future Chrysler cars. Chrysler is suing Getrag for failing to secure $300 million in debt financing as part of the joint-agreement. As one can imagine, getting credit in this market to build a plant for future Chrysler cars isn't easy. More »

2009 Audi S3 Gets S-Tronic Seven-Speed Twin-Clutch Gearbox

Audi’s fancy seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox will be an optional extra on the Euro-market 2009 Audi S3, reducing the 0-60 time and upping fuel economy. The 2.0-liter TFSI engine makes 265 HP and 258 lb-ft, scooting the hatch to 60 MPH in 5.7 seconds and delivering 27.6 MPG when equipped with a boring old manual transmission. Spec the $2,610 twin-clutch and that time drops to 5.5 seconds and economy increases to 28.3 MPG. It’s the exact inverse of the effect usually achieved by adding an automatic transmission, in which mode the twin-clutch is capable of operating. The full release follows the jump. More »

Report: BMW to Launch Dual-Clutch Tranny in M3 Sedan

As a leaked dealer memo indicated earlier this year, BMW's set to launch a DSG-style automanual in its new M3. Having seen neither hide nor hair of the new clockworks in Frankfurt, we're moving on to the next report. That is, word from AutoTelegraaf that the new, electromechanical seven-speed — developed with Getrag — dubbed "M DCT" will debut with the M3 sedan. Talk is of faster, smoother shifts than the M5's unwieldy SMG setup. LA or Detroit debut? Place your bets. [AutoTelegraaf via Motor Authority]

Chrysler Goes Long on Getrag Dual-Clutch Tranny

Automotive News reports Chrysler is wagering the north 40 on a new dual-clutch manumatic it developed with tranny builder Getrag. The two companies have built a $530 million plant in Indiana to churn out the gearboxes, to which Chrysler will have exclusive rights. Word is, the six-speed DSG challenger will first appear in 2010 linked to Chrysler's new Phoenix V6, which will be equipped with cylinder deactivation. No word yet on whether Chrysler will license the tech to other carmakers, but we'd imagine such a big investment may force a tipping point that starts the revolution. – Mike Spinelli More »

Pretty Damn Kwick: Porsche Set To Launch Dual-Clutch Gearbox, Call it PDK

Straight off the editor's desk from the News That Surprises No One Department comes more info on Porsche's coming double-clutch manumatic gearbox. (That means one clutch handles the odd gears while a separate clutch toggles the evens.) According to the UK's What Car, they're calling the tranny, "Porsche Doppel Kupplungen," or PDK for short (making it as easy on the options sheet as VW's DSG). But when will it arrive, and in what models? A report from last year indicated the heirs of Ferdinand will offer the new box across all model lines. So keep your ears pointed northeast, because the noise Farago makes when the PDK shows up in a Boxster is going to make Howard Dean seem like a mute. And by shaving off a heap of milliseconds between shifts, it could mean the Tiptronic 911 Turbo's 3.4 seconds to 60 mph could be quite a laugh one day. – Jonny Lieberman More »

Leaked Dealer Memo Confirms DSG-Style Box for BMW M3

According to Jalop commenter b33g33, BMW has been working like a bunch of hydrophobiac beavers on their version of the VW/Audi dual-cluch automanual known as DSG. We never doubted the lost Gibb brother's truthiness, but additional evidence has arrived from Autocar. The mag says it's in possession of a dealer memo advising that the coming, V8-powered M3 will get a new, DSG-style tranny. The all-new gearbox comes via partner Getrag, and will be called M DCT. According to A-car, it'll provide "rapid and nearly imperceptible shifts" when it hits the market in 2008. The M3's relatively low torque output of 295 lb-ft at 3,900 rpm likely eases the burden, since beefier engines have been said to grind DSGs into chocolate pudding. Nonetheless, much fun will be had by all, undoubtedly. – Mike Spinelli More »

Seven-Speed DSG Manumatic on the Way

If you're addicted to banging off shifts with VW/Audi's DSG box, you'll soon have a new cog to swap. We've already heard Porsche is working on a similar seven-ratio box, but according to the UK's WhatCar? a new seven-speed DSG automanual will arrive this year. VW's new Direct Shift Gearbox, originally the creation of tranny house Borg Warner, will first appear on the VW Rabbit/Golf. The new sprocket will allow a tighter fit between first and second, which will reportedly improve acceleration while allowing for a taller top gear. But the fragile box is said to top out at 184 lb-ft of torque, so don't expect it to show up in the Audi RS4 anytime soon. It's strictly a low-end enterprise, for now. As for Porsche's system, which would have to be at least twice as robust to survive? That's a question best left to the sultans of Bruce. – Mike Spinelli More »

Sportomatic! Next Porsche 911 to get DSG, Direct-Injection

AutoWeek's bearing some news on the next-gen Porsche 911 today, offering two tidbits on the next-gen model, due in mid-2008. As we'd heard earlier this year (and you could hear Farago's rapturous shouts from the outskirts of Greenland), the next niner will get a DSG dual-clutch transmission as an option. Now, AW reveals, the new model will also get a direct-injection version of its iconic flat six, producing 15 more hp (370 hp) while getting 10% better fuel economy. Farago's totally getting a bronzed DSG box for his birthday this year. – Mike Spinelli More »

DSG Rivalry: Ford Betting on Getrag Dual-Clutch System for Future Models

Whither the autoboxes and CVT clockworks? Automotive News is reporting Volvo's S40 and V50 oil burners in Europe will come with dual-clutch transmissions, which can be shifted like manuals or run in automatic mode, starting in late 2007. The cars won't be getting the slick Borg-Warner box that turned once manual-only VW/Audi heads into DSG-paddling fools; Volvo's using a similar setup from Getrag, its joint-venture transmission partner. But that's only the appetizer. As a main course, Ford will eventually use the system, dubbed Powershift, in the majority of its European line, including Volvos, Land Rovers and Mazdas, as well as Ford brand cars like the Focus and Focus C-Max, replacing automatics and continuously variable boxes. As for the US, a source from Ford told AN the company is considering dual-clutch transmissions for some "smaller" models. That forces the question, are the manual's days numbered? (note: DSG shown) – Mike Spinelli More »

Competition for DSG: Chrysler to Build Dual-Clutch Gearbox

Automotive News reports Chrysler, hot for a piece of VW's DSG action, is developing its own dual-cluch gearbox with supplier Getrag for front-wheel-drive vehicles by 2009. It's a major push that could change the transmission sales mix; the company wants to build 700,000 of the auto-manual units per year. It would be the first dual-clutch tranny built in the US, with production slated for a $560 million plant in Bermuda Bahama Kokomo, Indiana the companies are negotiating to build. According to a market researcher named Selecman (seriously), the technology outclasses the company's current automatics, offering better fuel economy, shift quality and durability. It'll be matched with the company's new Phoenix V6 family, due for the 2010 model year, and though there's no word on the company's plan to license the technology, we'd imagine that's pretty much assured. – Mike Spinelli More »

Porsche Working up Seven-Speed DSG for Entire Line

Funny how the world just falls right into line sometimes. Months ago, when Porsche started buying up chunks of VW stock, the first thing Farago wrote was, "Now that the Sultans of Stuttgart have bought a piece of VW, the installation of Audi's superb DSG system into the Porsche family of sports cars can't come soon enough." Well, damned if it all ain't coming true, sort of. According to AutoWeek Porsche's filed patent documents in Germany indicating said Sultans are working up a seven-speed double-clutch gearbox of their own, which Porsche plans to use throughout its line, all the way up to its mid-engined GT1 race car. Will it use part of the Borg-Warner DSG invention, or is Porsche starting from the ground up. Only the Sultans know for sure. More »

Farago to Wet Self: DSG Cost-Effective!

Our four podcast listeners know this well: every time the VW DSG trans is mentioned, Farago has to take a break to go freshen his undies. Needless to say, the Cynical One is suffering from a range of biological functions on an Akira-esque scale as he reads this post, and we apologize in advance to Lola if she accidentally witnesses her father in such fits of automotive bliss. More »

Robot, Shift: DSG to Replace Autoboxes on VW's Transverse-Engined Cars

VW's product chief says the era of the PRNDL is coming to an end for many of the company's cars. According to The Car Connection, V-dub's dual-clutch DSG gearbox will replace automatics on cars fitted with transverse-mounted engines (that's east to west). That means DSG will be as common as the steering wheel in such cars as the VW Rabbit, Audi A3 and Skoda, er, King Wenceslas (or whatever). The company will use the DSG box (aka BorgWarner DualTronic) as a "unique selling proposition" for its cars, giving them a leg up on competitors like BMW, whose similar SMG has been derided by some for its complexity and vague shifting. (Still, we hear BMW's coming back with a new SMG box that'll address many points of criticism.) Either way, for enthusiastic drivers who like to give the clutch foot a rest once in a while, it looks like "best of both worlds" may end up being more than just a Van Hagar number. More »

Japanese Drift Champ Takes On The VW GTI's DSG

We know you're already watching the video but this is impressive for two reasons. One: There are some pretty funny subtitles. Two: The guy driving the manual 6-speed has the fastest shifts I've ever seen. After a few head to heads this thing gets a little boring but watch anyway.

The Truth About The DSG: So Long Stick Shift

We hope Farago's got an e-mail filter that can sort through manifold uses of the F-bomb. Following on a theme from his recent Jalopnik Review of the Audi A3 equipped with DSG shiftbox, Farago, writing for his own The Truth About Cars, says DSG will be the shift kit that kills the stick shift. "Audi s DSG transmission is here and tripedalists are toast," he says, and we know more than a few heel-and-toe jockeys beg to differ. But can those purists protect their skill-oriented domain from the inevitable onslaught of paddling proles? More »