Dual clutch technology is now being offered or has been announced by VW (incl. Audi and Skoda), Ford (Europe) and Fiat. Presumably, Fiat will also offer the new transmission in the smaller Lancia and Alfa models.

The other European car makers will surely follow, especially now there are cheaper dry DCTs available for the weaker engine options. They give engineers a chance to optimize the whole drivetrain for fuel economy without the annoying torque interruption inherent in a single-clutch manumatic. True, Ferrari and Maserati have managed to get gear change times down to less than 150ms but the technology involved is far more expensive than a DCT.

Modern conventional ATs and belt-type CVTs can also be used to save fuel, but for various reasons neither transmission type has ever really caught on in Europe, with the notable exception of the premium car segment. For example, virtually all rental cars in Europe feature stick shift.

A cheaper alternative to DCTs may be ZeroShift's replacement for the traditional synchromesh. Another technology to keep an eye on for A/B segment cars is GIF's KRG, a modern cone-ring CVT.

Even if the zeroshift is really a good idea, it better be a lot cheaper to make.
With every new DCT announced, the zeroshift is missing a great opportunity to replace the traditional AT.

Rafael,

Do you have un update in the Gif CVT?

Thanks,

Mike

the lat i saw of it was in the SEA challenge of some years ago and it look pretty large. Considering 650cc single engine.

I would like to know if this could go on a two wheeled vehicle.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Mike

@ Mike A -

I haven't come across any announcements that GIF has a secured a major customer for its cone ring transmission, which would be a shame. However, that does not mean they haven't had any interest, just that they are keeping shtumm about it.

CVTs are selling well in Japan, especially in kei cars, but not in Europe or the US. GIF just announced it will be opening a company in China, perhaps that will prove a more receptive market.

Dodge Caliber owners like their elegantly traveling CVTs(which comprise most sales of Caliber), however the acceleration at low speeds is paltry. Acceleration at higher speeds is above average. I love my magic carpet ride CVT Caliber, & feather foot carefully overall averaging 31.4MPG. I average 32.7MPG over 4000 foot mountain passes. Regular(?) Caliber owners get 10% LESS MPG.

Took a VW GTi w/Dual Clutch tranny for a test drive. What an outrageous acceleration difference between Caliber CVT & GTi! & the VW gets better MPG. However, my mechanic says VWs have lots of repairs.

Nissan has demonstrated they can put a CVT in a more powerful engine--look at the Nissan Altima and Maxima with the JATCO CVT units.

One thing JATCO did was to change the programming of the CVT so it reduces the "slipping clutch" feel of older CVT's.

Sorry for the intrusion(i'm directly involved), but, i believe that our warko CVT will be the real revolution in transmissions:

with high efficiency = 96% (also in acceleration = changing ratio),
huge range = 9 Vs 6,5 max,
high torque capability = up to 500 Nm
overall dimension and weight in line with mechanical gear boxes
and first of all it's MODULAR:
the same device with different level of assembly can cover from 60 to 200 Kw.
Thanks
Antonio Rondinelli

CVT are very smooth, but when coupled to torque converter they don't really offer a fuel or acceleration advantage.

DDCT gearboxes will provide the best of both worlds. The directness of a manual with a lazyness of an Automatic. In addition smart gear changes mean that they can offer better fuel consumption that then average driver