Dual-clutch transmission

Not to be confused with Double-clutching (technique).

Schematic of a DCT (using two identical clutches located on the axis of the flywheel)

A dual-clutch transmission (DCT) (sometimes referred to as a twin-clutch transmission) is a type of multi-speed vehicle transmission system, that uses two separate clutches for odd and even gear sets.[1] The design is often similar to two separate manual transmissions with their respective clutches contained within one housing, and working as one unit.[2][3] In car and truck applications, the DCT functions as an automatic transmission, requiring no driver input to change gears.

The first DCT to reach production was the Easidrive automatic transmission introduced on the 1961 Hillman Minx mid-size car. This was followed by various eastern European tractors through the 1970s (using manual operation via a single clutch pedal), then the Porsche 962 C racing car in 1985. The first DCT of the modern era was used in the 2003 Volkswagen Golf R32. Since the late 2000s, DCTs have become increasingly widespread, and have supplanted hydraulic automatic transmissions in various models of cars.

More generally, a transmission with several clutches can be called a multi clutch transmission. For example, the Koenigsegg Jesko has a transmission with one clutch per gear,[4] making for a total of 7 clutches.[5]

  1. ^ "Powertrain — transmissions: Shift in power to the gearbox" (PDF). AMS. UnofficialBMW.com. September–October 2003. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
  2. ^ "Automatic-shifting dual-clutch transmissions are poised to grab share from traditional transmissions thanks to their combination of efficiency and convenience" (PDF). AEI-online.org. DCTfacts.com. June 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
  3. ^ "Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK)". Porsche.com. Archived from the original on 5 December 2008. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
  4. ^ Fenske, Jason (8 July 2019). "Here's How the Koenigsegg Jesko's Seven-Clutch Gearbox Works". Road & Track.
  5. ^ "Holy Shift! Koenigsegg's Wild Manual Transmission Has 7 Clutches—and an Automatic Mode". MotorTrend. 19 August 2022.