Can someone explain to me Audi DSG gearboxes?

EddScott · 26 Apr 2006 at 12:18

My mother is looking at getting an Audi Sportback. She wants one with all the bells and whistles etc etc.

She quite fancies the idea of this DSG business but I'm not overly sure what it is.

Is it flappy paddle or knock the stick forward 6 times, back 6 times? and can you choose to have it fully automatic?

Ta!

Jon Frost · 26 Apr 2006 at 12:23

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=audi+dsg+gearbox&meta=

Jon

Nozzer · 26 Apr 2006 at 12:24

It has a fully auto mode, tiptronic style (nudge the stick up and down) and paddles in the cars I've seen it in. However, I believe the paddles aren't fitted to all cars. At least that's what VW told me when I was looking at a DSG Golf GTi.

Vertigo · 26 Apr 2006 at 14:11

If she wants ALL the bells and whistles she needs to be prepared to shell out about £30k

As far as I'm aware, all A3 models specified with DSG come with the steering wheel paddle shifters, but you can always use the stick instead if you prefer.

It's basically an automated manual gearbox with two clutches for quicker/smoother shifts. It can be used in fully automatic mode or changing manually. If you want more specific details I believe Velocity currently has an A3 with it.

Incidentally, Audi have now renamed DSG to S-tronic, so don't get confused when browsing the options list.

Enfield · 26 Apr 2006 at 14:25

Does it blip the throttle on downshifts?

Guv · 26 Apr 2006 at 14:47

I test drove the Golf GTI with a DSG box.

It was very smooth and quick at changing gear. I was told by the sales bloke that came out with me that as it's double clutch it engages the next gear before releasing the gear you're already in. If you think of a manual car, there is a time when the clutch pedal is down while you're changing gear, this DSG box gets rid of this time when you aren't in gear. Or something like that

Whether that's completely true or not I don't know.

The Golf I drove didn't have the paddle shift, but the A3 may be different.

I'd have it over a manual.

chrislusty · 26 Apr 2006 at 15:13

Enfield said:
Does it blip the throttle on downshifts?

It does on my friends TT, the book times state that they are quicker then manuals to 60 etc. they are very smooth boxes.

Dandle · 26 Apr 2006 at 15:23

Ive driven the A3 sportback with DSG but in the end opted for 6 speed manual and quattro on ours which is the same price. The DSG is nice and smooth but personally I didnt feel as involved with the car as what I did with the 6mt. It works as has already explained by having two clutches, when one is engaged the other is selecting the next gear it thinks your going to require(it learns your driving style) then when you hit the paddle it just disengages one clutch and engages the other. On down shifts it does blip the throttle a little too.

It also works as a full auto would if you leave it in D, there is a sport mode and also the semi auto mode where you use the paddles.

EddScott · 26 Apr 2006 at 15:44

Thanks guys. She wants the option of being able to either leave the car in full auto or manual depending on how she feels. She does a fair few miles and her previous Merc was a normal auto.

Vertigo1 said:
If she wants ALL the bells and whistles she needs to be prepared to shell out about £30k

Well yes, but I couldn't convince her that what she really wanted was an 06 Subaru Impreza Spec C Type RA. I even showed her the pics of the silver one on the Litchfield website but she wasn't having any of it.