A dual clutch transmission, commonly abbreviated to DCT[1] (sometimes informally referred to as a twin-clutch gearbox, double clutch transmission, or similar variations thereof), is a differing type of semi-automatic or automated manual automotive transmission. It utilises two separate clutches[2] for odd and even gear sets. It can fundamentally be described as two separate manual transmissions (with their respective clutches) contained within one housing, and working as one unit.[1][3] They are usually operated in a fully automatic mode, and many also have the ability to allow the driver to manually shift gears,[2] albeit still carried out by the transmission's electro-hydraulics.
This type of transmission was invented by Frenchman Adolphe Kégresse just prior to World War II,[4] but he never developed a working model. The first actual DCTs arrived from Porsche in-house development, for Porsche racing cars in the 1980s,[1] when computers to control the transmission became compact enough: the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (English: dual clutch gearbox) (PDK)[1] used in the Porsche 956[1] and 962[1] Le Mans race cars from 1983,[1] and the Audi Sport Quattro S1 rally car.[4][5]
A dual clutch transmission eliminates the torque converter as used in conventional epicyclic-geared automatic transmissions.[2] Instead, dual clutch transmissions that are currently on the market primarily use two oil-bathed wet multi-plate clutches, similar to the clutches used in most motorcycles, though dry clutch versions are also available.[6]
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The first series production road car to be fitted with a DCT was the Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) in the 2003 Volkswagen Golf Mk4 R32.[1][7][8]
As of 2009, the largest number of sales of DCTs in Western Europe are by various marques of the German Volkswagen Group,[9] though this is anticipated to lessen as other transmission makers and vehicle manufacturers make DCTs available in series production automobiles.[1][10]
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