What does a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission mean?
3 Answers
6-speed dual-clutch transmission means there are two gearboxes, one controlling gears 1, 3, 5 and the other controlling gears 2, 4, 6. While using the current gear, the next gear is already automatically prepared, so the shifting time is very short without the delay of manual transmissions. Below is an introduction to the 6-speed dual-clutch transmission: 1. The 6-speed dual-clutch transmission is based on manual transmission but belongs to automatic transmission. It not only has the flexibility of manual transmission and the comfort of automatic transmission, but also provides uninterrupted power output, making it much better than ordinary manual and automatic transmissions. 2. Since the 6-speed dual-clutch transmission has two clutches that cooperate to switch gears, there is always power output during the shifting process without stagnation. Therefore, this technology is widely used, especially in sports cars where it is most widely applied. Uninterrupted power output makes the car's power more sufficient, and shifting is also more convenient. 3. The dual-clutch transmission was invented by the Frenchman Adolphe-Kégresse before World War II and was planned to be equipped in the Citroën Traction, but the market conditions at that time were not suitable for commercial applications. The dual-clutch transmission had to wait half a century before it began to be equipped in civilian vehicles.
Having driven manual transmissions for over a decade, I was quite intrigued when I first encountered a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. Simply put, it adds an extra clutch mechanism compared to traditional automatics, featuring two independent clutch plate sets—one managing 1st, 3rd, and 5th gears, the other handling 2nd, 4th, and 6th. When you're cruising in 3rd gear, the system has already pre-engaged 4th gear, making shifts as quick as a blink. Once while mountain driving, right after hitting the apex of a corner, I floored the throttle—it instantly downshifted two gears to deliver power, with the tachometer needle snapping up faster than in a video game. However, this setup tends to overheat during stop-and-go traffic due to frequent low-gear swaps, so pairing it with auto start-stop is ideal, especially in models from Volkswagen and Ford which use it extensively.
Last month, I accompanied a friend for a new car test drive, and the salesperson mentioned that this six-speed dual-clutch transmission is particularly fuel-efficient. After pondering the principle, I realized it essentially uses a computer to replace the driver's left foot and right hand. The two clutches take turns, with a shift gap of less than 0.2 seconds, ensuring almost no power interruption. Especially on highways, cruising in 6th gear can keep the RPM below 2000, saving about 1 liter of fuel compared to my old Toyota. However, beginners should be reminded not to stomp on the accelerator when starting a cold engine—wait about half a minute for the oil to lubricate. Nowadays, domestic cars like the Haval H6 and Geely Xingyue use this transmission, allowing you to experience luxury car shifting for just over 100,000 yuan.
