Kia seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox unveiled

kia seven dct 01

Kia has unveiled its all-new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission in Geneva, which it says is a more fuel efficient replacement for its existing six-speed automatic transmission.

The seven-speeder, which will begin appearing on production Kia vehicles in 2015, joins the company’s existing six-speed DCT – as seen on the likes of the cee’d and normally-aspirated Veloster – in the transmission line-up.

The automaker says that the new transmission has been engineered to balance greater fuel efficiency with improved performance and to deliver a sportier driving experience. Throughout the development process, engineers targeted a seven percent improvement in fuel efficiency and a five percent improvement in 0-100 km/h acceleration over the existing six-speed DCT.

Additionally, NVH has also been a key focal area in the seven-speeder’s development – it features an external damper to ensure a higher level of refinement than present on the six-speed unit.

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • But will it survives Malaysia’s climate?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 3
    • Sam Loo on Mar 04, 2014 at 8:35 pm

      Any kimchi cars will not last in any weather.

      They will break apart after 15 months

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 51
      • Sor Chai Sam on Mar 05, 2014 at 1:22 am

        Nonsense!! My hyundai is 8 yr old now at 150k km and still easily smokes slow poke dugongs on the road.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 42 Thumb down 5
    • Das Auto on Mar 05, 2014 at 1:20 am

      toyota new 4-speed super ECT unveiled in geneva. LOL

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 31 Thumb down 1
    • Jurutera on Mar 05, 2014 at 8:22 am

      Korea education system produce world’s best engineers and in big numbers too.

      That’s why Kia, Hyundai got no problem in developing own automotive parts in record faster time.

      Sadly it’s totally opposite here with junk education system and look how ‘advanced’ Proton now as end result.

      But when criticise Proton, the fanboys quickly drag Perodua bumper engineering as easy excuse.

      Proton rather spend 30 years sticking its nose on Perodua rather than improve itself for next 30 years as truly global champion like Kia Hyundai.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 30 Thumb down 1
      • kurakura on Mar 05, 2014 at 9:24 am

        Proton engineers only can produce p
        r3 super beng with ugly stickers n fake carbon. Put some horrendous stripe…put some super hard suspension n claim it is a breakthrough and still get paid n fly business class…n makan kuih n nasi lemak during meetings.

        how to progress when their head of engineering is only can produce brader accessory modification? Power window still cant resolve properly.

        Dont be surprise china can even produce better cars than proton. Dont believe…go see yourself in china.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 2
        • Ai ya…. Chinese surpass us also no problem, they sure got excuse… “China huge country, unfair to compare” bla bla bla, and the gravy train continues to run…

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
      • Korean auto industry continues to improve while Japanese auto makers have be saving money and living off their by-gone reputations to sell you cheap cars with tech that is over a decade old.

        BTW, Proton do have a high-tech branch called Lotus. Where Proton fails is their imcompetent managements.

        China’s Auto industry is highly competitive amongs themselves. Such competitions pushed them to produce better cars.

        As for countries population size = better? That is not true, Germany is smaller than most countries but yet they produce the world’s best cars.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
    • sutrak on Mar 06, 2014 at 9:18 am

      of coz it will. only dumbo like you are missing out on wonders of DCT just becoz of VW’s case in China. Kia is not a stupid company. Having invest on a DCT shows that the technology is viable and reliable.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • sudonano on Mar 04, 2014 at 6:48 pm

    Does our Veloster use the 6 speed DCT?

    I found the Veloster transmission quite lousy actually. Not responsive.

    And reliability? The word DCT seems like a bad word in the industry now…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 6
  • DonkeyKong on Mar 04, 2014 at 7:05 pm

    Wow this is good news! May this poor strategy of using twin dry-clutch transmissions result in Kia and Hyundai depreciating like back in the old days, making them really affordable for second-hand car buyers..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 27
  • oh dear…another dual clutch disaster waiting to happen!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 8
  • ss427 on Mar 04, 2014 at 9:55 pm

    Meanwhile Toyota will claim that their 20 yr old 4AT will beat the shit outta any 6-7speed DCT… and if you really make a lot of noise in demanding more ‘gears’… Toyota gives you… a CVT… :( A gearbox that prevents you from going anywhere fast.. :(

    Yup that’s Toyota engineering for you… I’m so eager waiting for the arrival of Kia’s 7speed DCT.. 2015 is just next yr… so prob we will see a DCT Forte K3 (your Cerato), all new next gen Optima, Sorento and Sportage

    Who says the Koreans can’t cook?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 30 Thumb down 4
  • Guilt79 on Mar 04, 2014 at 10:17 pm

    I have phobia for DCT and CVT. both innovative dunno why not really suitable in Malaysia..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 11
  • lonelyobserve on Mar 04, 2014 at 11:34 pm

    Is the DCT dry clutch or wet clutch? Many people having phobia on DCT because most of the problematic DCTs are dry clutch type.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
  • VW’s dual clutch called dsg is a known prob, Honda’s is having problem too with its new dual clutch and now Kia!! …dual clutch are not very good in real world day to day stop & go traffic jam, they are not smooth in those kind of driving condition…normal auto & cvt are bttr suited for stop & go

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
  • LittlebearEnter your name... on Mar 05, 2014 at 8:04 am

    Kia dual clutch 6 speeder gearbox? I am sure reliability will be an issue as even Volkswagen is having problem with their dual clutch transmission.

    Those who adopts KiA’s new dual clutch gearbox will be a guinea pig.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 3
  • heybadigol on Mar 05, 2014 at 9:13 am

    If Kia really wants something more fuel efficient, wouldnt it be a lot better to develop a CVT rather than dual clutch (DCT)? DCTs are usually for performance cars cos they’re fast shifting but not smooth. Performance cars are not exactly the type Kia makes at the momemnt, unless they’re planning it for the future

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • autodriver on Mar 05, 2014 at 10:10 am

    I think it is a good move of Kia to develop itd own seven-speed dual clutch. Hopefully the engineer must consider all round of situation and produce the DCT to withstand in any weather. Most of the dual clutch facing problem is dry type and common known as higher friction and generate higher heat.

    If the R&D can’t make a smooth ride of DCT, I believe stick back to its current 6 speed auto is not a big deal.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • Joker on Mar 05, 2014 at 11:53 am

    DCT is for global market so in order to qualify as a global car, u need DCT… I dun tink Kia will bring DCT to Malaysia though as the weather is not suitable for dry clutch here… perhaps a wet clutch could be introduced.. kudos to Kia for developing DCT…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 3
  • Toroto on Mar 05, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    Why never mention abt reliability n durability? What’s the price to pay in long run juz to gain the puny saving in fuel n performance? Nowadays, motoring companies prefer to earn even much more from after sales service…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Its borderless world now. KIA hire smart guys from the “WORLD” to make their product competitive.

    Maybe, this technology is developed by their team from Japan, US, German, China, India, Malaysia, Italy etc.. or ex staff from Toyota or VW or BmW or Audi.

    Proton, you should start hiring from the world.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
 

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