We've been kind of uneasy about the rise in recent years of manually operated automatics, not because we're such heel-toe downshifting maestros, but because too much technology makes us feel we're all moving too far afield of our drivers' roots. Can't we be satisfied with a four-speed any more?
Despite our lamentations, such autoboxes appear to be here for the duration. VW/Audi's DSG is really an automated manual tranny; it's got a dual-clutch layout, not a torque converter like on generic automatics. Audi introduced the DSG system last year in its Audi TT V6, and VW will offer it, paddles and all, on the new Golf GTi as a pricey option. If Evo is correct, we can go ahead and add it to our list, along with heroin, of dangerously addictive things to try out.
Volkswagen VW Golf GTi DSG [Evo]
Related:
New Volkswagen GTI Gets High Marks for Fun [internal]