How is the Changan 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission?
3 Answers
The quality of Changan's 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission is quite good. On urban roads, there is no noticeable jerkiness during starts and low-speed gear shifts. Its power transmission is also decent, without strong pulling sensations during sudden accelerations, and the overall logic tuning is relatively reasonable. Changan Automobile, officially known as Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd., is an automobile company engaged in the development, manufacturing, and sales of a full range of passenger and commercial vehicles. It is also a core vehicle manufacturer under China South Industries Group Corporation. Its main products include a full range of passenger cars, small commercial vehicles, light trucks, minivans, and medium to large buses, as well as a full range of engines.
I've been driving my Changan with a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission for almost a year now, and it's been genuinely smooth for daily commutes. The wet design offers better heat dissipation, so frequent gear shifts in traffic don't cause overheating issues, and the smoothness is noticeably better than dry clutches. The power response is direct—step hard on the gas, and it downshifts immediately, making overtaking effortless. Fuel economy is a pleasant surprise too, just over 7L/100km in the city and even lower on highways. If there's a downside, it's the occasional slight jerk at low speeds, but nothing major. Overall, it's way more engaging than a CVT. Changan's tuning is solid—I've driven a colleague's German dual-clutch, and even at this price point, mine feels steadier. Stick to the manual for maintenance, and changing the transmission fluid more frequently can extend its lifespan. The value-for-money is definitely a highlight—domestic tech really holds its own against joint-venture brands now.
The core of the wet dual-clutch lies in oil cooling and lubrication. Changan's 7-speed model utilizes BorgWarner technology, offering significantly higher reliability than dry-clutch systems. The clutch plates are immersed in oil, reducing wear and extending lifespan—making it particularly suitable for congested urban driving conditions in China. The gear-shifting logic is intelligently tuned, delivering seamless shifts during gentle city driving, while sport mode offers aggressive yet controlled performance. I've tested it fully loaded on uphill climbs without any power interruption. Paired with the Blue Whale engine, it delivers strong bursts of power and effectively suppresses jerking. However, shifts are slightly slower during cold starts when oil temperature hasn't risen, but this improves once warmed up. Fuel efficiency is at least 8% better than comparable AT transmissions, with low RPMs maintained during highway cruising.
