Thursday, October 31, 2024
Friday, October 25, 2024
VW - Repair and Service Redwood City - Volkswagen kills DSG transmission in non-enthusiast vehicles - Bosch European (650) 368-3000
The dual-clutch automatic transmission's rarity at VW just increased.
At the reveal of the 2025 Taos on Thursday in Orlando, Florida, Volkswagen told Motor Authority its DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission is now dead in the U.S. aside from some performance vehicle applications.
The 2024 Taos subcompact crossover SUV was the last mainstream holdout to offer the automaker's DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox), where it was paired with the all-wheel-drive model. Front-wheel drive models had already moved on to a conventional 8-speed automatic transmission with a torque converter. The refreshed 2025 Taos drops the dual-clutch transmission entirely, and all models now sport the 8-speed automatic.
“It was a test in the Taos. When you have a hatchback and you need an SUV, you are moving out of your GTI. It was a question whether mass-market adopters moving from a smaller vehicle like a GTI would find that nice, and we listened to customer feedback," VW product manager Melinda Godec told MA.
Godec said the Taos is a conquest vehicle that grabs market share and buyers from competitors. Those competitor cars don't have dual-clutch automatic transmissions, and the DSG didn't meet their driving expectations. The issue stemmed from smoothness of shifts and transmission engagement off the line. With the DSG, there's a lag as the clutches engage when moving forward from a stop.
"We need to meet them (the customer) where they are and not expect changed behavior," Godec said.
The last vehicles to carry on with VW's DSG are the Jetta GLI sport sedan and the Golf GTI and Golf R hot hatches.
Godec said that Volkswagen is seeing sales volume increase because of U.S.-specific build configurations for consumer preferences.
Volkswagen introduced the DSG in the 2003 Mk IV Golf R32 hot hatch, but the transmission didn't come to the U.S. until 2007 with the Mk V R32.
Source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1144438_volkswagen-kills-dsg-transmission-in-non-enthusiast-vehicles
by Joel Feder
http://www.boscheuropean.com
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Mercedes - Repair and Service Redwood City - 2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLE 63 S E Performance Cabrio spied - Bosch European (650) 368-3000
Mercedes-Benz has been pruning back its coupe and convertible offerings in recent years, and the process extends to the two-door C-Class and E-Class models that are in the process of bring replaced by a new model called the CLE-Class, which arrived in the U.S. as a 2024 model.
Our latest spy shots show a prototype for the CLE-Class Cabriolet, in sporty AMG guise.
The prototype is for a CLE 63 S E Performance Cabriolet, a new range-topping grade from AMG that packs plug-in hybrid power. We know the prototype is for a range-topping AMG because of its square-shaped exhaust tips. Lesser AMG models use round tips. Other AMG cues include the large wheel and brake combo, large air openings up front, and lowered suspension.
Under the hood should be the same turbo-4-based plug-in hybrid powertrain that features in the 2024 C 63 S E Performance sedan and upcoming 2025 GLC 63 S E Performance crossover. The turbo-4 is an upgraded version of the 2.0-liter engine found in AMG's current crop of compact cars. Thanks to the addition of an electric-aided turbocharger, output from the engine is boosted to 469 hp. It also has an electric motor integrated with the engine in mild-hybrid configuration to power ancillary features, as well as serve as a starter motor.
On top of all this, there is a much more powerful motor (up to 201 hp) at the rear axle, which means combined output can be bumped up to 671 hp for brief stints. This rear motor is mated to its own 2-speed transmission. A 6.1-kwh battery ensures a small electric range is possible.
Look for AMG's versions of the CLE-Class to debut later this year or early in 2025.
source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1139219_2025-mercedes-amg-cle-63-s-e-performance-cabriolet-spy-shots
by Viknesh Vijayenthiran
http://www.boscheuropean.com
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