When Dual Clutch Transmission disappears, it’s undoubtedly a sign of the times. Whether you love it or detest it, it will be missed! The DCT proved that BMW truly is the Ultimate Driving Machine and was the best there is!
The popularity of the dual-clutch transmission (DCT) used by BMW M, a multi-speed transmission technology that uses two distinct clutches for odd and even gear sets, cannot be questioned. In fact, drivers who had M vehicles with it were head over heels in love with it! This is due to the fact that it produced rapid-fire shifts, was simple to use in any traffic, and provided more theater than the standard automatic. Bottom line: DCT sped up automobiles!
The DCT’s gear selector, which was described as a “bizarre type of transmission,” had the look of a frozen tear drop and had the most peculiar pattern. However, that pattern gave it personality and made it evident that it wasn’t your ordinary automatic gearbox. On the contrary, it was far more intriguing and unusual. The ancient DCT was in so many fantastic automobiles. It had excellent paddle shifters behind the wheel and had many levels of shift aggressiveness. You could be certain that you were operating a performance vehicle with a DCT and extremely quick, jerky shifts.
Fans of the DCT were a little miffed when the F90 M5 moved to a traditional, torque-converter 8-speed automatic from ZF. Even though the 8-speed was a top-notch automatic, people craved the quicker, full-throttle upshifts of the previous DCT. So, fans were much more disappointed when BMW gradually stopped offering the DCT for the M. That’s because the original DCT was associated with so many fantastic automobiles.
However, BMW has made the decision to abandon Dual-Clutch Transmissions in favor of conventional 8-speed torque converters, even in the M vehicles. The F90 generation M5’s 2018 model year launch marked the start of this transformation.
Following the phase-out of the DCT were the F10 BMW M5, F06/F12/F13 BMW M6, F80 BMW M3, and F82 BMW M4. DCT was originally an option for these cars, but it is no longer available. The new G80 BMW M3 and the G82 BMW M4 have both switched to the ZF 8-speed, hence the M Division no longer offers a dual-clutch option. And that modification is long-lasting.
Fans of the DCT should be aware that the BMW M2 is the only vehicle still using the BMW DCT.
All self-shifting transmissions for the M Division moving forward, whether they be the present ZF 8-speed or an upgraded model, will be conventional torque-converter automatics. Sadly, neither now nor in the future will there be a dual-clutch option. The DCT has officially said goodbye since efficiency is of the utmost importance in today’s automated environment!
In This Article...
The 7-speed M Double-Clutch Transmission’s history (DCT)
DCT is a product of BMW Motorsports, where winning on the racetrack depends on every tenth of a second.
The Performance Option 7-Speed Double-Clutch Transmission, which first appeared in the M3 Coupe, Sedan, and Convertible, is currently available for the new M3 and M4 vehicles and costs $2,900.
The BMW gearbox mechanism that enables quick gear changes is the 7-speed M DCT. Without interfering with the tractive forces like power and traction, it can reach 9,000 RPM.
Double-clutch gearbox
Diagram of a DCT (using two identical clutches located on the axis of the flywheel)
Using two distinct clutches for odd and even gear sets, a dual-clutch transmission (DCT), sometimes known as a twin-clutch gearbox, is a form of multi-speed automobile transmission system. The layout frequently resembles two independent manual transmissions functioning together as a single unit, each having its own clutch housed in its own housing. The DCT operates as an automated transmission in vehicle and truck applications, requiring no driver input to change gears.
The Easidrive automatic transmission, which debuted on the 1961 Hillman Minx mid-size automobile, was the first DCT to go into production. Several tractors from eastern Europe that operated manually and had a single clutch pedal came next in the 1970s, and in 1985 came the Porsche 962 C racing vehicle. The 2003 Volkswagen Golf R32 featured the first DCT of the current era. Since the late 2000s, DCTs have proliferated and replaced hydraulic automatic gearboxes in a number of different car types.
A transmission with multiple clutches is more often referred to as a multi clutch transmission. One clutch is used for each gear in the transmission of the Koenigsegg Jesko, for instance, for a total of seven clutches.
Diagnostics for the BMW dual-clutch transmission
Some BMW engineers and technicians may be terrified by the term “dual-clutch gearbox,” or DCT. The gears, synchronizers, and shafts that make up a DCT transmission are likely to be your last interaction with them. Instead, you will need to fix the extraneous parts that regulate the clutches and cool the fluid. But it’s crucial to comprehend how the shafts and gears interact.
The gearing concepts of a manual transmission are used by a DCT transmission. A gearset is placed between the input and output shafts of a DCT using two countershafts. The odd-numbered gears are on one side, and the even-numbered gears are on the other. The two countershafts are known as sub-transmissions by BMW. The shift forks are operated by hydraulic solenoids rather than a linkage attached to a shifter within the cabin. There is no clutch pedal; computer-controlled actuators are used instead. When shifting up, one clutch disengages and the other engages, maintaining the flow of power.
The output shaft is connected to the shafts. The input shaft and output shaft are connected by a sub-transmission, which is controlled by the clutch and forks.
SKILLS, M, VOL.
Want the benefits of a torque converter gearbox with the ability to manually shift gears? With the M DCT, this combination activates BMW M for sporty drivers (M double-clutch transmission). This is made possible by the incredibly quick M DCT, which can be used either automatically or manually without affecting traction. You experience more driving pleasure and even better performance both off-road and on the racetrack as a result.
Is BMW DCT reliable?
The DCT (Dual-Clutch Transmission) used by BMW M received almost no criticism. Owners of M cars with the DCT raved about how much faster the shifting was, how much easier it was to use in traffic, and how much more entertaining it was than a conventional automatic, especially with that quirky gear selection.
How quick is the BMW DCT shift?
Only after the next gear has been properly picked and you are in S5 or S6 modes can you achieve the best shift time, which is typically estimated to be in the 10 to 50 millisecond range. Shifts will undoubtedly take longer when the following gear is improperly selected or is on the same shaft as the current gear.
What kind of automatic gearbox does BMW employ?
You’ll adore a BMW with a manual transmission if you’re passionate about driving dynamics since it gives you the control you need in a variety of situations. When you need to be a little bit more practical with your car, an automatic gearbox may be what you need for the times when the car should be determining when to shift.
You have options with the BMW’s Steptronic automatic transmission, so you’re not forced to pick between an automatic or manual transmission. You have the option to use a manual shift when you want to or switch to the multi-drive mode automatic when you need it with the Steptronic gearbox.
For nearly 20 years, BMW was the primary designer and exhibitor of the Steptronic transmission. Since then, engineers and the Munich design team have worked to make the transmission more useful for drivers. The most recent Steptronic generation can be employed in a number of circumstances and shifts quite quickly. This allows the driver a wide range of options for performance, driving manner, and selected driving mode.
Who produces BMW DCT?
BMW M Gmbh originally unveiled the 7-Speed M BMW Double-Clutch Transmission (DCT) on November 1st, 2008. The 7-Speed DCT gearbox was first proposed for the M division by BMW, the first automaker in the world.
Are DCT transmissions reliable?
In comparison to other types of gearboxes, DCTs often offer high to great fuel economy, like CVTs, although they do have a few drawbacks.
- Some drivers could find the abrupt and uncomfortable quick shifts with some DCTs.
- A DCT occasionally feels reluctant while switching from drive to reverse.
- Similar reluctance can occasionally be seen while starting to accelerate from a standstill.
- When at a stoplight or slowly advancing into a parking spot, dual-clutch transmissions are often not as good at doing so.
Due to these factors, several automakers choose to replace DCTs in their vehicles with conventional torque-converter automatic gearboxes, or CVTs. However, dual-clutch gearboxes are still a common option for performance automobiles.
Is DCT equivalent to automatic?
Dual clutch gearboxes are fundamentally a cross between a manual and an automatic transmission. Although they use two clutches (thus the name “dual clutch”) to coordinate the gear change, they are more equivalent to a manual transmission.
It is best to comprehend how a manual transmission functions in order to properly comprehend how a DCT transmission operates. The driver of a vehicle with a manual transmission must regularly disengage the clutch in order to shift gears. In order to enable smooth gear changes, the clutch briefly detaches the engine’s drive from the driveline. A DCT eliminates the need for a clutch pedal by operating with two clutches instead of one, both of which are computer-controlled.
There are multiple internal processors that control the dual clutch transmission. The entire procedure is automated thanks to these computers, which do away with the necessity for the driver to manually shift gears. A DCT can be thought of as being comparable to an automatic transmission in this regard. The primary distinction is that when changing gears, the DCT runs the odd and even gear numbers individually, protecting the engine from being disconnected from interrupted power delivery. The main distinction between a DCT transmission and a conventional automatic transmission is the absence of a torque converter in the DCT transmission.
Is DCT a quicker shifter than an automatic?
Shift time is the period of time a transmission needs to change gears. Power supply is transferred to the next selected gear during this interval, and engine speed is adjusted to match the speed of the next gear. Although shift time typically refers to motor vehicles, it can also refer to any gearbox.
In performance and racing automobiles, shortening the shift time is crucial because upshifting typically disrupts power transfer to the wheels. The driver controls the shift time in a manual gearbox, but in automatic or automated manual vehicles, the electronic or hydraulic control system needs to be calibrated and adjusted to carry out quick gear changes. In general, a dual-clutch transmission changes more quickly than a single-clutch automated manual transmission or a typical hydraulic automatic transmission with a torque converter. This is possible because the DCT may reduce shift times by pre-selecting the next gear and switching between its two different clutches to that predetermined gear. Utilizing a freewheel may shorten shift times since the clutch may not be required. Another goal of a shift kit is to speed up shifts in manual transmission cars.
By adding a lighter flywheel to a manual transmission, upshift time can be shortened. A lighter flywheel will enable the engine speed to fall more quickly, resulting in quicker shift times. During an upshift, the engine speed must decrease to synchronize with a higher gear.