The highly acclaimed DSG gearbox was developed by our friends at Volkswagen to give drivers fast smooth gear changes, more responsive handling, seamless acceleration and improved fuel economy. As part of the Volkswagen Group, we've embraced DSG, so you'll find both the 6-speed and 7-speed versions in different models of our range.
DSG explained.
It's a pretty straightforward concept.
DSG has two separate transmissions, one provides the 1st, 3rd, 5th (and sometimes 7th) gear and the other provides the 2nd, 4th and 6th gear. When you start driving, the ‘odd' gearbox is in first gear and the ‘even' gearbox is in second gear.
When the vehicle reaches a certain speed the clutch automatically switches into 2nd gear. An on-board computer then calculates the next likely gear change based on the vehicles speed and how the driver is ‘behaving' i.e. up to 3rd if you're accelerating and back to down 1st if you're braking.
Because the engine power is simply shifted from one transmission to the other, gearshifts are silky smooth and extremely fast. We're talking less than 4/100's of a second. (As we said, it's fast).
The driver also has the option of selecting either the Drive or Sport mode. In Sport mode the gears are held longer before shifting up - this keeps the engine in its peak power zone for more aggressive acceleration.
And if you want to change gears manually you can do that too. Just push the Tiptronic lever up or down, or use the Formula One style paddle shifts on the steering wheel (in selected models only).
DSG dual clutch comes in 7-speed (selected models only).
This 7-speed unit is a world first. The innovations include a pair of dry clutches that have dispensed with the need for the oil bath of conventional ‘wet' clutches. A design that further improves fuel efficiency and driving agility.
The ideal open road machine.
With the extra 7th gear, Volkswagen engineers could lower 1st gear to improve acceleration and raise 7th gear for more economical and more efficient open road driving. So you get to sit back and cruise in quiet comfort.
Oil volume cut by 75%.
Because the oil volume in the 7-speed variant has been cut by 75%, the gearbox efficiency rating has improved significantly and this adds to even lower fuel consumption.
