In case you’re not familiar with it, DSG is a transmission technology that uses two computer-controlled clutches to change between gears. Unlike the a regular manual transmission, the driver has no control over the clutches — rather, they are entirely operated by the computer. The driver can, however, shift gears manually as they would with a tiptronic transmission, or run the car in automatic mode. Volkswagen Group markets its dual-clutch tranny under the DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) moniker. In this video, professional racer Keiichi Tsuchiya drives a VW Golf GTI with a 6spd manual, while Naoki Hattori drives the VW Golf GTI with DSG. Despite Tsuchiya’s incredibly fast shifting skills, the DSG wins in every trial. Later, the DSG-equipped VW races a more powerful Opel Astra Turbo and Renault Megane RS, and wins in both cases. Tsuchiya, who was first skeptical of the DSG, later agreed that “the shift timing is just perfect.” (Thanks to Ben for the tip.) Video after the jump…



04/21, 4:52 PM
posted by:
gsh
damn, it can hang with an integra type r…which is much lighter
04/21, 4:53 PM
posted by:
Anonymous
i think this technology will do wonders for technical speed and outright performance from the cars that have them but theres just something about knowing that im not really doing anything to get the car to go fast which just kinda makes me sick — i like the feeling of driving a manual gearbox and who cares if now im slower because i drive stick, the fun of driving comes from the driver involvement and not being along for the ride.. video games will never compare to the real thing and thats all i see a dsg as — a step above granturismo (dont get me wrong im not complaining im getting older so im sure ill be buying a dsg car soon — being able to have the benifits of a real manual and a full automatic is what the selling is point for me)
04/21, 5:01 PM
posted by:
James
The GTI DSG lost to the 200 HP Acura RSX… And the RSX is a cheaper car. So, what is the purpose?
04/21, 5:10 PM
posted by:
JimR
In the era of expensive gasoline and tightening emissions, I always figured straightline performance would suffer. Instead, technology has kept peak power figures sky-high and made us a victim of our own innovation.
DSG, CVT, SMG, and the like are helping make driver involvement a concern. Is cool stuff more fun?
04/21, 5:54 PM
posted by:
Phil McCrackin
Kudos #2.
My sentiments exactly.
On the street, a tenth here, a tenth there makes no difference.
Some folks just like being involved.
I can do without the computer-controlled stuff, as well as the electonic nannies like ESP…just give me ABS.
There’s a certain sense of satisfaction when you heel/toe to perfectly match revs while downshifting approaching a corner.
04/21, 6:24 PM
posted by:
duncan
i have to admit being amused at the reaction of manual drivers. for years it was “yeah, but in a manual transmission i can eek out a few tenths of a second in performance” now it’s “so i may lose a few tenths of a second, i feel more in control of the car.”
04/21, 7:04 PM
posted by:
moody
I feel so good about buying my mk.V GTi 2.0T w/ DSG. Now all I need are some Oettinger performance parts so that I can burn anything I’m likely to see.
04/21, 7:26 PM
posted by:
Levi
That wasn’t an RSX, well it was but it was a Type-R. Which are pretty hard to come by in the first place so if it is less then the GTI, it wouldn’t be by much.
04/21, 8:23 PM
posted by:
James
A Type-S in Japan is a “Base” in the US,
and a “Type-R” in Japan is a “Type-S” in the US.
http://www.honda.co.jp/auto-lineup/integra/grade-data/index.html
The winner in this test is the 201hp (by new SAE std) RSX.
All these cars are slower in a straight line than regular midsized V6 250hp+ sedans though. The fun is in tossing them around.
04/22, 2:47 AM
posted by:
Daniel Feies » Blog Archive » DSG vs. 6-speed manual
[...] Video: DSG vs. 6-speed manual | Leftlane – Car News For Enthusiasts In this video, professional racer Keiichi Tsuchiya drives a VW Golf GTI with a 6spd manual, while Naoki Hattori drives the VW Golf GTI with DSG. Despite Tsuchiya’s incredibly fast shifting skills, the DSG wins in every trial. Later, the DSG-equipped VW races a more powerful Opel Astra Turbo and Renault Megane RS, and wins in both cases. Tsuchiya, who was first skeptical of the DSG, later agreed that “the shift timing is just perfect.â€? [...]
04/22, 8:43 AM
posted by:
Anonymous
DSG and hardtop convertibles – the new wave. Cool.
j i m
04/22, 11:59 AM
posted by:
Turbo Powaaah
I’ve driven the DSG and I won’t drive anything else if the choice is there.
04/22, 12:24 PM
posted by:
jit
The Honda Integra type R is naturally aspirated to the Golfs turbo engine with more BHP and torque. It should have beaten it silly but managed to lose. what its shows is stick to the honda or buy a Mitsubishi Evo 9
04/23, 3:33 AM
posted by:
moody
The Honda also weighs about 800 pounds less. Also, for some people, pure performance isn’t what they want in an every day car.
04/23, 9:39 AM
posted by:
nokidn
If you want to drive in tin foil drive a Honda. If you want to drive in a vault drive a German car.
04/23, 11:44 AM
posted by:
Angelo
Iver teh past 4 years I’ve owned 4 different vehicles, all manuals. Last week I test drove a DSG and much admit that if Porsche or BMW gets it, I’ll pay for it. I’ve driven SMG, and it’s nowhere near as good.
04/23, 3:33 PM
posted by:
James
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV5gcN_ePBQ&search=top%20gear
The Type-R beats the GTI in performance again on Top Gear. But Clarkson complements the GTI for its non-performance aspects.
04/23, 7:18 PM
posted by:
Andy Duncan
First a semantic nit:
James-1: actually the integra type-r is not the same thing as an RSX type-s, and the spec sheet you listed confirms it.
James-2: That’s a civic type-r in the top gear comparison, not an Integra/RSX Type-R.
The other thing to remember is that this thing is faster than a six-speed in the hands of a professional racing driver. It would absolutely spank even a very talented enthusiast driver. And to those who say it would be less fun, well maybe, but you can always start working on your left-footed braking skills…
04/26, 10:31 PM
posted by:
Aron
a Honda Integra Type-R is a total different car from those RSX or Type-S. the power to weight ratio is much better in those “Type-Rs”. in Japan , Integra Type-R has the same class as thos EVO and STi (stock model). Japanese will only keep the best for themself and borrow the best from the others. so those Type-S in US is not their “weapon” indeed.
Cheers,
Aron
05/06, 6:09 AM
posted by:
matt
How should i run my new GTI DSG in?
06/27, 2:27 AM
posted by:
Shawn
Hey Guys,
I must say that I was skeptical at first to get the DSG, however I have found it to be incredibly fun and even more exciting than a manual.
I race around tracks with my car and totally whipped cars getting better times than E55’s, C55’s, m3’s and a few Subaru’s …even took out a Honda S2000(horribly) and Mazda mx8…
OK then again the car has been chipped (175kw) however in the case with the DSG is that its really fantastic, you can constantly kick the down paddle to get the highest revs around corners and the beauty is that when you are going “manual” on the DSG is that when you reach maximum revs it changes for you in to next gear…so therefore you focus on driving at that point..
The other amazing thing is “manually” shifting to a higher gear while accelerating at the same time
WOW!! hehe its quit a sensations..car makes great sounds there
As for cornering..the car could be improved a bit, however that’s a whole new subject on its own
I’m sold on DSG guys and its actually a lot quicker than manual, not the little 10ths here and there either and this is racing against other chipped GTi’s that are manual.
Peace
Shawn