Took a GTI w/ DSG out for a spin today, mainly just to see what the transmission was like. With more and more performance cars going to dual-clutch automated manuals as the only option (Ralliart, GT-R, R32 spring to mind), I wanted to see what it was like.

First impression: This thing can shift better than I ever could. Perfectly matched downshifts, never a hint of shudder when leaving a light, very quick, smooth shifts, etc. If objective performance was a priority for me, I'd never buy another type of transmission, ever.

Second impression: The disconnect was palpable. I was thinking that if I quit thinking "this isn't a traditional manual" and just approached it with an open mind, it'd be at least as enjoyable as a traditional manual, perhaps more. It wasn't. I felt much more isolated from the engine compared to my Jetta.

It's not nearly as bland as a traditional automatic, but it just wasn't as fun as a good ol' stick and clutch. Still, if I dealt with gridlock on a daily basis, I'd think about one. It's not nearly the sacrifice that a traditional auto is.

Anyone else have first-hand experience with a dual-clutch automated manual? What were your thoughts?

I do deal with gridlock on a daily basis, so my next car will probably have some form of clutchless manual...hopefully by the name of "Selespeed"

DSG is faster then the traditional manual... however faster is not necessarily better... this has started so many debates on VWvortex...

I also got to take a GTi DSG for a spin. I had visions of being Michael Schumacher. Its a nice feeling transmission, if I had to have two pedals, this would be my tranny.

I drove a 2006 A3 2.0T with one. It's mind-boggingly smooth and quick but, yeah, it is as detached as an automatic is and is not a proper manual transmission substitute. It makes for a way better automatic than a traditional auto though.

It's better if you care about lap times.

And this is why I'm dying to drive the Evo X MR. The TC-SST (Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission) is supposedly the current best performance twin-clutch transmission on the market.

My friend test drove the new gti while i was in the car and he expected it to me some what similar to smg. His disappointment was the fact that it would go on neutral when downshifting. It would be awesome if the RPMS could steadily decline like a manual car. If it downshifted andworked jst like a manual car, i would totally go for it but the way it seems, its just an automatic car that can shift fast - that is all.

Wha? The clutch stays engaged while in gear, it is like a manual gearbox in that respect. Your friend's description failed.

Your friend is on crack.

When you downshift a DSG GTI, it gives you a perfectly rev-matched downshift, jumping a thousand RPM or so without ever seeming like it's in neutral and without any jerkiness. Aggressive downshifts while cornering were the DSG's shining moment. And the fact that you can keep both hands on the wheel while doing so (nice if you're downshifting on a very twisty section) only adds frosting to the cake.

. . . I want DSG now

Talking with the salesman on the drive, DSG GTIs are significantly outselling 6MT GTIs. VASTLY outselling 6MTs, actually. If I recall correctly, every single GTI they had on the lot was DSG. Give yourself a year or so and DSG GTIs will start showing up on the used market in significant numbers.

I drove a new A3 at work. Since it was mostly cruising around a parking lot, I didnt really go past 2nd gear. It was strange having to let it engage stop and go. Also, it seemed reverse engaged strange since it was taking longer to engage than first gear. Other than that, it was nice and fast.

i've driven a few cars with DSG (Jetta TDI, MKV GTi, Jetta Wolfsburg 2.0T) and while it's very impressive - it shifts like a video game, instantly and smoothly - it's... like a video game. I'm just not a fan. I do recognize how advanced a piece of technology it was when it debuted, but it's just not for me - I'm not a fan of further layers of separation to the road.