Most every car you find these days has a six or seven speed transmission. But some people want more. Lexus has an eight speed auto. ZF is working on a nine speed auto. Hyundai will offer a ten speed soon. But now they're going to be outdone by Volkswagen. Beigekrieg, forward!
The latest from Martin Winterkorn, the leader of the VW empire, is that VW is going to have a ten speed dual clutch transmission. Every other gearbox coming with eight, nine, or ten gears is a torque converter auto.
That means that a paddle shift equipped car with a ten speed double clutch could be coming. I know I speak for all of us when I say that I don't think making six to eight downshifts into a corner is overkill.
Hell, put in a 32 speed double clutch. Short ratios equals more shifting fun.
Winterkorn also let it drop that VW is developing a diesel engine capable to 134 horsepower per liter thanks to a combination of a turbo and an electric supercharger. That's truly astounding.
Now we'll just have to wait and see if this comes to fruition, or if it isn't just Winterkorn saying a lot of amazing things that never happen.