RonnieC6Z

The one thing that I found out from someone who was in Vegas at the C7 unvailing (if you can call it an unvailing!) is that the 2014 C7 will offer 2 trannys...a 7 speed manual and an 8 speed automatic. BUT NO DCT WITH PADDLE SHIFTERS! No matter what the C7 may have to offer, I will have to pass because after test driving cars with DTC paddles, for me it is the only way to go. Way to keep up with the times and the competition, GM.

SCM_Crash

I'll be purchasing a 7-speed manual. It's a shame about the DCT, but I'm confident that in mid-generation they'll update to a DCT. If that's the case and I still have my C5Z too, I'll sell my C7 (or trade it) and get one with a DCT.

JerriVette

Thanks for the heads up. I'll hold off and enjoy my manual c6"

I really want my next vehicle to have a dual clutch transmission as well

CMCvette

No paddles? That would be a surprising move. I'm dubious.

Jinx

What if the 8-speed automatic shifts as well as an average DCT?

Does the technology matter, or only the results?

.Jinx

OnPoint

I've figured all along they'd use a torque converter auto with improved shift times for the paddle actuation. And I bet it's a significant improvement over the C6 A6.

Biggest advantage of doing so is torque capacity and durability.

Toilets

You pose a good point. Take a look at the c63 amg black series merc. It's a torque converter auto that shifts as fast as a Ferrari Fxx. Paddles, you must shift gears or it will bounce off the limiter, and you get rev matched down shifts. Basically, everything a DCT has. I'd be interested in something like that.

Stingray23

No matter how advanced an automatic tranny becomes, it will never shift as fast as a true DCT. I believe the Corvette NEEDS a DCT to fully compete with todays sports car. Not only in performance, but in sales. I LOVE a manual tranny, but if the DCT will make it a better performer, I'm all for it. My M3 had a DCT and in its fastest mode, it was lightning quick. Ferrari quick.

*C7*

I'll be happy with the 7 speed..........

Paulchristian

Although I prefer manual, I think the corvette, especially the higher performance versions, need to incorporate this technology.

SCM_Crash

I don't understand how you can come to that conclusion. The difference between a DCT and a 6-8 speed auto is engagement. What makes a DCT so fast is that it uses two sets of gears to pre-engage the next set of gears. Then uses 2 clutches to quickly change which set of gears are driven.

However the 6L80 and the 8 speed auto in the C7 does the same thing except using clutch packs instead of 2 solenoid driven clutches. But the gears are pre-engaged, no different from a DCT.

In the case of the auto, the torque converter is NEVER disengaged and therefore the power to the transmission never stops. The clutch packs engage and disengage in a synchronized fashion just like the DCT's dual clutches.

So what makes you think that an 8-speed planetary gear train auto can't shift as fast as a DCT?

Me too. I'll be getting a 7 speed manual because I drive my car for fun.

John T

Is a DCT generally lighter or physically smaller than a conventional auto?

SCM_Crash

In some circumstances, yes, they're lighter. Not always smaller, but compared to an 8 speed auto, I'd bed they'd be lighter and smaller. Compared to 6-speeds, they're sometimes heavier and slightly bigger.

The running man

I'm really excited about the 7 speed and that is what I will be going with also. I never thought I would own a car with a 7 speed manual. It just sounds really cool.

Jinx

Why, if a GM automatic can do the job?

How is this different from the argument against pushrods, transverse leaf springs, or front-mid engine layout?

.Jinx

McGirk94LT1

Stop it. Your going to start blowing peoples minds...

LS1LT1

I'm quite sure that it WILL still have steering wheel mounted paddles, just not ones of the true DCT/F1/Sequential variety.
Probably a nice improvement over the current paddles (and also attached to a much improved, fully electronic automatic trans too) though I'd bet.

Paulchristian

no particular reason other than I drove a frieds GT-R recently and thought the transmission was amazing! I have never driven an automatic C5/6 vette (and never will) so I can't comment on how good or bad the transmission is.

NSC5

Exactly!

IF the automatic doesn't greatly outweigh a DCT.

My first experience with an electronically controlled clutch to clutch automatic was in a 2001 GMC pickup which came with an Allison 1000 series automatic and it was a huge improvement over the previous GM 4L series transmission feel in terms of precise shifting. Although far too heavy/heavy duty for car application I do miss the solid lockup torque converter clutch operation of the Allison when driving my cars. It is setup so that when in "tow mode" the torque converter clutch locks up when it shifts into second and stays locked up at any throttle setting including upshifts or downshifts unless the speed drops into first gear range. This reduces the "slushbox" feel of most automatic transmissions and provides for great speed control via engine braking.

EVL JAKE

I find myself liking the C7 more as I see more of it. That being said, unless they come out with a DCT I would get the manual. With the PIA the A6 is to mod, I can just imagine what a headache the A8 will be.