It’s a known fact that Sequential Twin Clutch Gearbox is the fastest and most advanced gearbox design available currently. However, they are only offered to ‘performance’ and premium cars such as GTR’s Twin Clutch Transmission, Porsche’s PDK (Porsche Doppel Kupplungen), Volkswagen’s DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox), BMW’s DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) or the Lancer Evo X’s SST (Sports Shift Transmission), since they are expensive to engineer and produce.
Besides BorgWarner for VW and Getrag for BWW, a British based Ricardo which produced the gearbox for the Bugatti Veyron has come up with a much cheaper solution to double-clutch automated manual transmission systems. Ricardo has developed an electromechanical linear actuator that can be fitted in place of separate clutch and gear actuator units.
This reduces the number of components needed and thus lowers weight as well as complexity, further aiding improvements in fuel consumption and emissions. It is suitable for fitting in low cost city cars and superminis as well as larger vehicles such as lorries and off-roaders.
Ricardo says that the technology is superquick and responsive which is eight times faster than a current production hydraulic valve actuated system. According to the company, fuel consumption will also be improved by 5%.
Can imagine our national cars fitting this? Long-shot, but a possible one..
