Volkswagen’s 10-Speed Transmission Is The First Ever

Chrysler, you’ve been out-transmissioned. Volkswagen has announced that as soon as next year, it will introduce a 10-speed dual-clutch transmission on select models. That means more shifting, sure, but also better fuel economy. It also begs the question…how many gears is enough?

The 2015 Volkswagen Passat will probably get the 10-speed transmission first, though it will likely spread throughout the VW lineup as the German brand chases an overall 20% improvement in fuel economy. Capable of handling up to 369 ft-lbs of torque, this transmission would be equally at home in a miserly Golf TDI SportWagen as it would the 400-horsepower Golf R, though the initial pairing will be with a 236 horsepower four-cylinder turbodiesel.

There are some doubts as to whether automakers are really getting any value out higher-geared transmissions, with seven, eight, and nine-speed units suddenly the norm. That isn’t stopping automakers from joining forces to pursue ever-more-efficient transmissions, but as Volkswagen’s 10-speed pushes technology into the double digits, and one has to wonder…where is the ceiling on this stuff? More importantly, will consumers be bothered by constant shifting?

I think I would.

Source: Volkswagen