8-speed dual clutch gearbox in the works

[glojo]

I've always felt 5 speed auto was enough and only regretted the lack of a sixth "overdrive" gear when zipping down the motorway. Eight speed? What next? What use is shaving a few percent off the co2 figures when the gearbox wears out more quickly (thus necessitating a new one) How much co2 is a new gearbox worth anyway?
Les

I'm sure our Sprintshift gearbox in the Sprinter is a six speed. This is a so called clutchless manual gearbox which really has an automatic single clutch so the vehicle only has two pedal. The stop and go ones.

Great box

regards
John

 

[st4]

The sequitroic box? They offered it in 211's but yet to find one. Maybe it was europe only but its 6speed.

 

[wemorgan]

I'm sure our Sprintshift gearbox in the Sprinter is a six speed. This is a so called clutchless manual gearbox which really has an automatic single clutch so the vehicle only has two pedal. The stop and go ones.

Is that the same as a AMT (automatic manual transmission) as also in Smart cars? It's a rather slow system in the Smart, which doesn't bother me especially, but I'm wondering whether other AMT systems also have a lag between up-shifting?

 

[st4]

Is that the same as a AMT (automatic manual transmission) as also in Smart cars? It's a rather slow system in the Smart, which doesn't bother me especially, but I'm wondering whether other AMT systems also have a lag between up-shifting?

Depends on the way they are set up. Ferraris AMT can change gear in 60milli seconds, at which point you probably won't "feel" it as its so fast. By comparison Nissans GTR's dual clutch jobbie takes 200 milli seconds to change gear.

 

[glojo]

Is that the same as a AMT (automatic manual transmission) as also in Smart cars? It's a rather slow system in the Smart, which doesn't bother me especially, but I'm wondering whether other AMT systems also have a lag between up-shifting?

It's certainly not a racing type gear change but it is NOT slow. I love listening to it as it chaqnges gear. It is so smooth and slick, matching the revs of the next gear. I'm not sure if this box was ever fitted in the car range but I don't see why not. They are more economical than a conventional automatic so could that be the reason why Mercedes are now going the way of the VAG DSG.

John

 

[st4]

It's certainly not a racing type gear change but it is NOT slow. I love listening to it as it chaqnges gear. It is so smooth and slick, matching the revs of the next gear. I'm not sure if this box was ever fitted in the car range but I don't see why not. They are more economical than a conventional automatic so could that be the reason why Mercedes are now going the way of the VAG DSG.

John

MB will have set them up for smoothness and comfort, but an AMT can still shift faster than a dual clutch AFAIK. Did they offer it in the UK 211 as I'd be curoius to try one.

I can't help but think that MB's 8 speed DSG system is a direct response to BMW's 7 speed unit being released on the M3 and also lexus's 8 speed box and rumours of a ZF 8 speed (going into X6's etc).

MB launched an interesting gearbox in the SL63, a conventional auto minus a torque converter but a fluid clutch instead.

 

[miro]

CVTs should stay where they started - in DAFs, and certainly nowhere near a Merc (just my humble opinion!)

I used RON98 fuel in my A-Class. HOWEVER .... I noted that MB offers these cars with base-value settings in the engine controller. That means the engine is tuned for something like RON80.

Once I had manually set the engine for RON93 (the highest value in the menu) the developed a whole new personality.

I really don't care if there are 100 gears or speeds. I don't have to select them and I dont have to deal with which one they are.