DCT update
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,149
Likes: 1,349
From: Big D Dallas TEXAS
I have owned many DCT/PDK/SMG single and dual clutch sports cars. Programming is very important to the feel & performance and typically the DCT will have updates through out its life cycle. I don’t feel R&T gave the DCT a chance, seamed to me they were so angry no manual was available in the C8, they decided to ratcheted up their scrutiny. Next time they launch a new car, GM needs to be more patient. If their car is not ready for prime time, it better off to wait before putting it in these journalist hands. You only get one chance for a 1st impression, now GM will spend most of their time explaining it was preproduction and needed more calibration. Unfortunately, this Just feeds the stupidity and allow the haters to pile on. Rookie hour at GM Marketing.
Last edited by fasttoys; Nov 12, 2019 at 03:14 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,088
Likes: 1,829
From: Metro Detroit Michigan
It's odd isn't it? If they didn't want to hit the redline they could've kept it in Auto and let it shift up for them, then click the downshift or hold it so it can drop as many gears as it needs to, and either manually upshift or let it automatically do it. I don't see any reason why they would use manual mode if automatic gives them the exact thing they desire. On top of that they actually knocked it for denying downshifts and hitting the rev limit....it's in manual mode though so you should expect it to be exactly that?? Isn't that more engaging for the driver so you can get that nice driving experience™?
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With the new article, it sounds like they are trying to save face by smearing the features they didn't know how to use, together with the programming updates, even though the GM engineer described these updates as being to improve things like " humpy-bumpy shifts here and there".
Combine that with Motor Trend publishing wildly incorrect dyno numbers, (even though their quarter mile trap speeds tended to confirm GM's horsepower specs), and automotive journalism is in a pretty sad state!
In the internet age, I guess being first to publish something has become much more important than getting the information right.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 16,069
Likes: 4,153
From: Bergen county NJ
The corvette team simply had made a judgement error in giving the c8 to early in final development to a desperate magazine staff of a dying print car magazine.
hopefully GM marketing and public relations learned their lesson.
next time hold off until final tuning of the entire vehicle is complete.
hopefully GM marketing and public relations learned their lesson.
next time hold off until final tuning of the entire vehicle is complete.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,088
Likes: 1,829
From: Metro Detroit Michigan
Or GM should require that they sit through a class on how to use the car, similar to what I was presented with at Spring Mountain. Prior to that, I didn't realize that the electronic differential worked differently than a mechanical limited-slip, and that the way to tighten up a turn was to reduce power, not apply more power in an attempt to reduce the grip of the rear tires, as one might do with some other types of differentials.
Last edited by Warp Factor; Nov 12, 2019 at 12:16 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 935
Likes: 225
A8 Not a bust for all
My 2016 A8 has 56,000 miles and 35 track days. No transmission issues.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,088
Likes: 1,829
From: Metro Detroit Michigan
Yes, there is a bit of a learning curve involved in learning to use it most effectively, as with any car or transmission, and hard-core Neanderthals, as well as those who are "learning-challenged", might be better off choosing another path.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 1,778
From: North Texas
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,088
Likes: 1,829
From: Metro Detroit Michigan
i do not know yet. I took advantage of the heavily discounted C7 Z06 owners program at Spring Mountain, and have no regrets,
There are a bunch of C8's running around at Spring Mountain. Whether or not Spring Mountain can nail a contract with GM, I cannot say. I do think that my experiences there were really good.
There are a bunch of C8's running around at Spring Mountain. Whether or not Spring Mountain can nail a contract with GM, I cannot say. I do think that my experiences there were really good.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,874
Likes: 614
The corvette team simply had made a judgement error in giving the c8 to early in final development to a desperate magazine staff of a dying print car magazine.
hopefully GM marketing and public relations learned their lesson.
next time hold off until final tuning of the entire vehicle is complete.
hopefully GM marketing and public relations learned their lesson.
next time hold off until final tuning of the entire vehicle is complete.
GM bit the bullet. While the initial review from R&T wasn't the greatest, it did well in the comparison test.
We probably aren't seeing huge group tests for a few months which is when things will get fun.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 1,778
From: North Texas
i do not know yet. I took advantage of the heavily discounted C7 Z06 owners program at Spring Mountain, and have no regrets,
There are a bunch of C8's running around at Spring Mountain. Whether or not Spring Mountain can nail a contract with GM, I cannot say. I do think that my experiences there were really good.
There are a bunch of C8's running around at Spring Mountain. Whether or not Spring Mountain can nail a contract with GM, I cannot say. I do think that my experiences there were really good.
If a special training is required, then DCT will be a huge flop.
Last edited by vndkshn; Nov 20, 2019 at 10:01 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,088
Likes: 1,829
From: Metro Detroit Michigan
My point was, you said GM should require the writers to take a class so they learn to drive the DCT right, I assume with the goal to have them not write negatively about it because they aren't driving it properly (whatever that means). The same would have to be true of the actual buyers of the car as well, because in today's time, everyone can bitch on the internet, everyone has a selfie camera and can post crap on Youtube that others will take as gospel.
If a special training is required, then DCT will be a huge flop.
If a special training is required, then DCT will be a huge flop.
Last edited by Warp Factor; Nov 20, 2019 at 10:18 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,494
Likes: 703
From: Raleigh, NC
If GM had offered an MT in the C8 & someone who never drove an MT bought it how would they drive it without training? Clear written instructions about the DCT hold for full downshits etc is not a major obstacle leading to a flop. Have seen similar instructions in other brands owners manuals.
Example: In all brands even those without a DCT but with Launch Control there are written instructions on how to use it. No marketing flop among them due to the feature.
Example: In all brands even those without a DCT but with Launch Control there are written instructions on how to use it. No marketing flop among them due to the feature.
Last edited by BEAR-AvHistory; Nov 20, 2019 at 10:35 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 423
From: Charleston SC
Rather than having a transmission that they could have just put a manual gear box in it and the trans would do EXACTLY what you tell it to, when you tell it to do it. I've been seeing issues about the auto trans and paddle shifting since I joined this forum and I cannot, for the life of me, understand why anyone would get an auto if they have this much of an issue with it. If you like driving autos and you just leave it in drive and let it do it's thing, sure, buy an auto. But if you're one of these folks that likes to control what gear you're in and when it shifts MANUALLY, why not buy a MANUAL transmission? They've already said the main reason the C8 doesn't come in manual is lack of customer demand, but it sounds like most people actually DO want to manually control the gear box, so why the hell is everyone so lazy they can't deal with the joy of having a 3rd pedal??
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 960
Likes: 645
Rather than having a transmission that they could have just put a manual gear box in it and the trans would do EXACTLY what you tell it to, when you tell it to do it. I've been seeing issues about the auto trans and paddle shifting since I joined this forum and I cannot, for the life of me, understand why anyone would get an auto if they have this much of an issue with it. If you like driving autos and you just leave it in drive and let it do it's thing, sure, buy an auto. But if you're one of these folks that likes to control what gear you're in and when it shifts MANUALLY, why not buy a MANUAL transmission? They've already said the main reason the C8 doesn't come in manual is lack of customer demand, but it sounds like most people actually DO want to manually control the gear box, so why the hell is everyone so lazy they can't deal with the joy of having a 3rd pedal??
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,709
Likes: 423
From: Charleston SC
Yep, and that's the only thing anyone wants, ever. No one cares about creature comforts, individuality, driving experience, or anything else. Why offer different colors? They should just have 1 color to save money. Why give it AC? That takes away power from the engine. Why have heated and cooled seats, or even power seats? Those things are heavy af! Not to mention power windows, locks, front bumper cameras.... all these are things that add weight and take away from the performance of the car. A manual takes very little away from performance if you know how to drive and offers more fun AND function. If you wanna drive an automatic, there's nothing wrong with that, but saying the manual is going to the way side "because... performance" is a crock. It's due to customer demand.
Last edited by Toddiesel; Nov 20, 2019 at 12:13 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 14,742
Likes: 5,605
From: AZ
Just because it doesn't have a clutch pedal doesn't mean the driver cannot be in control.
We had a 2003 M3 with SMG tranny, no clutch pedal. It was my wife's daily driver. I did a few track days and drove it on trips. In the 60K+ miles we had it, it was driven in the auto mode probably less than 200 miles. Normally it was paddle shifted by both of us. My wife could have taught the car mag writers how to shift it properly with none of the problems they complained about and she has no interest in performance driving, but she is a good passenger on the street at fun pace.
I have driven enough different manual tranny cars on a race track that my feet will figure out whether to heal-toe or toe heal or just rock the foot onto the gas while braking to get a proper clan downshift. I have no problem enjoying a car that is faster due to it's technology.
We had a 2003 M3 with SMG tranny, no clutch pedal. It was my wife's daily driver. I did a few track days and drove it on trips. In the 60K+ miles we had it, it was driven in the auto mode probably less than 200 miles. Normally it was paddle shifted by both of us. My wife could have taught the car mag writers how to shift it properly with none of the problems they complained about and she has no interest in performance driving, but she is a good passenger on the street at fun pace.
I have driven enough different manual tranny cars on a race track that my feet will figure out whether to heal-toe or toe heal or just rock the foot onto the gas while braking to get a proper clan downshift. I have no problem enjoying a car that is faster due to it's technology.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 526
Likes: 525
I think it's more important that the magazine reviewers know how to work the car, if GM wants to get positive reviews. If the average cruiser buyer doesn't know how to hold the downshift paddle to keep downshifting as the revs come into range, or hits the rev limiter because they don't know the transmission won't automatically upshift in manual mode (duh!), or know how to drive it to reduce understeer, it really doesn't matter. It's not like it's a safety issue or anything.
All that said, let's see how the programming evolves over time. I'm sure there will be updates that improve things.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,088
Likes: 1,829
From: Metro Detroit Michigan
That's what the C8 DCT in manual mode does, with the exception that it will deny a downshift which would result in over-revving the engine. A complaint of one of the magazines was that in manual mode, it would not upshift until you tell it to. Some DCTs will, but then it's not really a manual mode, is it? But apparently that programming is what that magazine prefers.
