DSG – the intelligent automatic gearbox from Volkswagen World’s first 7-speed DSG for high-volume production – starting in the Golf Significantly improved fuel economy and lower emissions.

From Polo to Passat – new DSG for all TDI and TSI engines up to 250 Nm

Five years ago Volkswagen presented the first production dual-clutch transmission in the world: the 6-speed DSG. An intelligent automatic, a transmission of superlatives. Since then over one million 6-speed DSGs have been sold! In just the first eleven months of last year 364,000 were sold. This is now being followed up by another transmission sensation: the world’s first 7- speed DSG to be produced in high-volume. For many car drivers this could signify the final turn away from conventional transmissions, because the new DSG can do everything better than a manual gearbox. It is more fuel efficient, sporty and comfortable.

New “dry” dual clutch improves efficiency

The most prominent component of the DSG is its dual clutch. In comparison to the 6-speed DSG, there is no “wet” clutch in the new transmission – that is a clutch immersed in an oil bath – rather a “dry” clutch. That too is a world first for DSG technology. This and other engineering modifications led to significant improvements to the DSG’s efficiency. The result: Further reduced fuel consumption and emissions values, even greater convenience and driving fun.

The 122 PS TSI in the Golf consumes just 5.9 liters/100 km with DSG.

A look at the fuel economy and driving performance data of the Golf, with and without 7-speed DSG, underscores the progress made. This much can be said right away: The new 122-PS TSI on the Golf is a masterpiece of fuel efficiency. Shifted by a manual 6-speed gearbox, the charged gasoline engine in the Golf consumes just 6.3 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers – and this is even less than that of models with lower PS output. However, when the same Golf TSI is paired with the new 7-speed DSG, average fuel consumption is reduced even further: to just 5.9 liters. Similarly, CO2 emissions are reduced from 149 g/km to 139 g/km. These are data that just a short while ago would have been considered inconceivable for a gasoline engine in this performance class. Especially for an automatic: Compared to a conventional automatic with torque converter, the new DSG even consumes up to 20 percent less fuel!

Before production start the new DSG covered two million test kilometers

DSGs are built at the VW Transmission Plant in Kassel. The light 70 kilogram 7-speed DSG is built with about 400 parts. While the many DSGs had to prove their qualities on stationary test benches for far more than 60,000 hours of durability testing, developers sent the other DSG prototypes aboard Golf and Co. to run test trial routes in the real world. They covered about two million kilometers in testing proving efficiency and reliability.