Passat/Superb 6sp/7sp DSG

[donweather]

Can anyone enlighten me as to why both the Superb and Passat TDI's only come with a 6sp DSG whilst the Superb and Passat TSI's come with a 7sp DSG.

I would have thought the TDI's could run at exceptionally lower revs, hence the 7sp DSG would get even better fuel economy? Whereas the TSI's generally run at higher rev's.

[brad]

torque?
IIRC, the dry clutch 7-speeder is officially rated at 250nm. The wet 6 speeder is up around 350/400 (can't remember).

While the TSI engine has a higher redline, the economy tends to suffer a bit once cruising above 2500rpm, so it's beneficial to keep them ticking over at about 2,000-ish at highway speed. Exceptional economy but still just on-boost if you need to overtake.

I haven't bothered to look at the engine gearbox line-up on the passat/Superb but isn't the 7 speed DSG only on the 1.8/118kw/250Nm? Is there a 2.0/~150kw TSI engine in the model lineup? Is that 6 or 7 speed?

[clip]

Yes it's all about torque capabilities. The 7speed in the passat is dry clutch mated with the little engine (and they only just seem to be managing that). The TDI comes with the 6 speed wet clutch to handle the much higher torque. The 7 speed wet clutch is a big, heavy mother and is in the Tig and Touareg.

I'm very glad the Passat TDI only comes with the 6 speed wet clutch! The 7 speed wet clutch would only add more weight and doubt if it would make much economy difference in the lighter Passat.

The TDI DSG's do run at exceptional low revs - try 6th gear at 65k/h! It's doing just over 1000rpm and yes it drops into that driving around town! Drives me crazy - very glad I got the flappy paddles now.

[donweather]

The TDI DSG's do run at exceptional low revs - try 6th gear at 65k/h! It's doing just over 1000rpm and yes it drops into that driving around town!

Yeah I know I got one of the Passat Taxi's home the other night and was amazed to see it drop to 6th gear as soon as it hit over 65km/hr. Was surprised at the get up and go for the TDI also, as our driver only knew 2 speeds...flat out or hard breaking.

Thanks for the info on the DSG's also. Greatly appreciated.

[clip]

Was surprised at the get up and go for the TDI also,

yes, they are surprising - especially to new c'dore, Honda Euro, Mazda 6, and TSI golf drivers (and I don't use Launch control)

[dopey]

I prefer the 6 speed myself, it's less busy. I found the 7 speed to be annoying, too many damn gears to jump through.