GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Seven-speed DCT for Kia
Kia to complement its six-speed automatic with new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission from 2015Kia looks set to join the in crowd, announcing that it will complement its six-speed automatic transmission with an efficient new seven-speed dual-clutch unit from 2015 production.
All model-year ’15 vehicles will be offered with the in-house developed DCT (dual-clutch transmission), which Kia says has been engineered to “balance greater fuel efficiency with improved performance and to deliver a sportier driving experience”.
Speaking to motoring.com.au at the Geneva motor show, Kia's head of European drivetrain development for petrol engines, Michael Winkler, said “the application of the DCT will be determined by the limits imposed by torque suitability. While there has been no decision on which model the DCT will first appear in it is likely that the initial application will be in 2.0-litre or smaller engines. I do not see the DCT replacing the traditional automatic gearbox but a parallel use of the DCT manual application and the traditional automatic.”
Like Volkswagen, Ford, Volvo and Renault, to name a few, Kia seems keen to embrace the benefits offered by a DCT, and says that depending on application, the new transmission is capable of improving fuel consumption by seven per cent, and acceleration times by five per cent when compared to the existing six-speed automatic. The dual-dry clutch unit sees each clutch fitted with an electric motor-driven clutch actuator to improve efficiency, and like most of its kind sees odd numbered ratios placed on one input shaft and even numbered ratios on another.
Kia also claims a significant reduction in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels when compared to the epicyclic six-speeder, and has employed an external damper to the transmission mount to ensure “a high level of refinement”.
The new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission will feature on production Kia vehicles in 2015.
Latest news from Geneva motor show
Register to comment on this article.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
