Interesting news from Xtrac. Nice to see technology principles from F1 making its way to road cars.
A comment though on the story. As far as I know a DCT type gearbox is still cheaper than a torque-converter auto gearbox.
A conventional 2 shaft manual gearbox is cheaper than both of them. Thus the benefit of this Xtrac new ratchet type selector box is that it should be only a little bit more expensive than a normal manual but still markedly cheaper than a DCT.
Furthermore the principle behind this Xtrac box is not new. In principle it is similar to what a UK company called Zeroshift was developing for the last few years.
This system is one of the principles in use behind the seamless boxes in use in F1 nowadays. However the Xtrac seamless shift boxes used in HRT, Virgin and Lotus Racing use a dual selector barrel system. Rather simpler in principle actually, to my understanding while the top teams probably use 'ratchet systems' not unlike what is being offered in this box.
Zeroshift, the company I mentioned earlier is now in collaboration with WilliamsF1.
In the news recently Lamborghini announced its own seamless shift box for the Murcielago replacement, which it called the ISR gearbox. The basic principle is probably not too dissimilar from the dual-barrel type seamless system used in Xtrac in F1. However without the 'dual barrel' but mimicking it's effects.
The 'dual-barrel' type is where one selector barrel controls even gears while another barrel controls odd numbered gears (sounds similar to a DCT box so far..) however it uses a standard clutch as opposed to dual-clutch system in DCT and the shaft arrangement is still like a normal manual box where there are 2 shafts (mainshaft and a layshaft). In the dual-barrel seamless box, when a shift is taking place, the gear shifts 'chase' each other. Meaning before one barrel fully disengages 'gear 1', the other barrel is already engaging 'gear 2'. Technically the two gears are momentarily both engaged. While clutch remains engaged at all times.
The problem with Dual-Clutch gearboxes in F1, if it was legal in F1, would be packaging. A conventional 2 shaft gearbox is still simpler, compact, lighter and probably more cost-effective.
These seamless shift type boxes now seem to be the trend due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness I suspect. Expect to see more manufacturers announcing it.