This was true until recently. Automatics shifted slower, were less fuel efficient, cost more, and basically numbed the whole driving experience. If you were a true car enthusiast, you laughed at the thought of having an automatic transmission in your car. Why would you do that? Manual it was.
Now, enter the new generation of automatic transmissions; dual clutch transmissions.
Also, commonly called DCT, DSG, or twin clutch transmissions. It is a semi-automatic transmission described as two separate manual transmissions contained within one housing unit. There are two separate clutches, one on odd gears and the other on even gears, which accelerates shift time. Dual clutch transmissions usually operate in a fully automatic mode, but many allow the driver to manually shift gears. Put into layman terms, it can shift seamlessly on its' own in stop and go traffic, and changes gears faster than Micheal Schumacher without a hiccup, every time. I'm not finished. It also achieves better fuel economy than manual transmissions, and many DCT's offer launch control.
Basically, launch control is a program within the transmission that allows you to launch the car from a stop perfectly. Never again, will you smoke the tires off or miss a shift. Once the program is enabled, the computer takes care of the rest. Press the brake pedal and floor the gas. The tach will rise to the optimum rpm range for the best launch, and once you release the brake, hang on! No spinning tires, no missed shifts, just perfect launches every time!
It's no wonder many auto manufacturers, like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, BMW, Audi, VW, Nissan, and Mitsubishi, now offer this type of transmission.
I thought I'd never say it, but automatic it is.
Darryl
3 comments:
Great info! We were wondering about "paddle shifters", and how that fits into the automatic transmission profile? How do these work? Would you recommend getting them if they are an option?
Can't wait to read more!
Basically, paddle shifters are a gimmick on most cars. They allow you to downshift or upshift by using the paddles instead of flooring the gas pedal or applying the brake. Most buyers see paddles as a sporty option, but sadly, most are not sporty at all. It's just a way for dealers to make more money off you. They will not improve your fuel economy or improve performance.
On dual clutch transmissions, paddles usually are standard with the transmission. You can use the paddles if you want total control of the transmission, or leave the DCT in fully automatic, which will not hinder performance or fuel economy.
Now, there is a different type of automatic transmission with paddles on select expensive cars, like the Mercedes E63 AMG, which use a wet plate clutch pack instead of a torque converter. This is not a DCT, but this type of transmission offers great performance. These transmissions do not offer any benefit when compared to a dual clutch transmission.
Darry, what do you think of the CVT transmission? Colm John
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