to DSG or not to DSG?
January 30th, 2006There is no doubt on of the cleverest and best executed transmissions of all time is VW/Audi’s DSG system. But should you order one if possible?
On the surface – yes. VW has never made a great manual, and while the one in the newest A3/Golf/Jetta is an improvement it’s still quite a way off from the best.
What DSG does do better than even the most expert driver is execute shifts swiftly and smoothly while letting you keep your hand on the wheel. But as this test in evo magazine points out, most of the time you end up using the DSG’s auto mode, and even when you’re using the DSG it lacks the involvement of a manual box.
Owners of clutchless manuals and manumatics will tell you that in many cases a manual may be slower or more work but it’s almost always more involving – that’s especially important in a car that isn’t designed to just lope along like an anodyne appliance…