Dual clutch for the next Z
 

With so many dual/twin clutch transmissions out with much proven success, their popularity is growing fast. It would only make sense for Nissan to offer dual clutch AMT and traditional MT. If so would you chose AMT over MT?

Launch control, split second shifts, less power loss between shifts, and all the other pluses to a dual clutch would be pretty cool. The only cons to it is the slight clankiness at lower speeds and less fun with shifting. Just my opinion.

Edit: I removed what I said about AT being a free option on the 370z, bc well, it's not. Was thinking of the wrong car..

I'd still buy MT. The current 7AT is already faster at shifting. It's not really about speed to me. Rather it's about control and involvement. I feel that MT gives me more.

I don't daily drive my Z and I find the MT to be more fun. Whether or not it's faster doesn't really concern me. I enjoy rowing the gears.

MT keeps you honest. Plus less things to worry about tearing up. Next thing people will want is voice controled windows.

MT for me too.

While a dual clutch AT would be interesting, I'll always be in for the MT. MT FTW!!

I've always been a MT guy. I got the 7AT and have mixed feelings. If I didn't have my S2000 there would probably be regret. Oh, and I ride motorcycles too so I get plenty of chances to row gears.

I daily both the Z and the S2000. The Z is a lot more relaxing in a commute (or road trip, shopping mall) situation. When I put the Z into manual mode it shifts pretty quick and I get back to that intimate interaction with the car. Is it just like a MT? Well, no. However, all around it's a tough combo to beat. If they offered dual clutch I would probably get it. However, I think for a slushbox the 7AT is amazing and a dual clutch is probably not needed.

What do you mean they offered the 7AT as a free option?

I actually wouldn't mind an auto z in my future, as long as I had a 'real' car for harder driving.

Actually if you look at Nissan's website, the 7AT is a $1300 option. I love my 7AT and I think its an amaxig automatic transmission. A dual clutch would be amazing for the next Z. Nissan already has a great one in the GT-R so it shouldn't btoo hard to put it into the next Z. It would help the Z keep up with some of its competitors.

I don't see Nissan offering a dual clutch for the next z because as you pointed out, the noise, and extra maintenance required. Most people who have autos now would not be used to the noise. Nissan would have to get rid of the auto in order to offer the dual clutch for the g, fx, ex, m, and z to make financial sense. The z won't be the only car to have the dual clutch.

MT all the way:tup:

Id get DCT.

nissan's current solution for AT is CVT... :ugh2:

i guess perfect for those who cant drive MT cause of the slipping clutch-ish sound the cvt makes. :icon17:

Correction. You EVERY OTHER daily your Z and S2000 :).

This is pointless. Guys who buy MT will buy MT and AT guys will buy AT...

I'd consider the Z in auto if they put in a good auto option.

Yeah, but the actual topic of this thread in not pointless. A DCT to replace the current 7AT would be a huge deal and a nice performance upgrade.

They also could offer a DCT in addition to the current offerings.

I think if they do offer a DCT (which I doubt they will) it will be the standard auto on the Z. Only problem is that a DCT will be ridiculously expensive to repair/replace. The one on the GT-R is like $20k. :eek:

No one will buy a sports car with CVT.

If it was a good CVT they would.

Plus like 3/4 of the Z's market isn't shopping for a sports car, they just want something that looks pretty.

:iagree:

A DCT is more likely than a CVT for the Z.

I'll buy a AT sports car when it has a shifter that comes out and shifts me faster and faster the more i push the gas pedal. Until then a MT is the only option for a sports car and AT in them = midlife crisis or grandpa's garage queen.

+1,000,000

The 7at brings a lot to the table for what it is. I totally agree. Having spent time with the 7at in both the G37 and Z. I have to test drive DCT to validate it as a real improvement. Either way there is a huge gain for enthusiasts with the DCT. Modding with FI will be so much easier with a DCT vs. The standard AT. Nissan is thinking about the future of modders and the increase in use of dual clutch racing type transmissions.

yeah, that's why I think that it would be offered as a third option. It would probably add $2-5k to the cost of the Z. Jacking up the regular auto by that much would drive the car's price too high.

I would likely still buy the stick, to me a sports car that shifts itself is just "wrong."

The DCT market has changed. They are using dct trannies in everything now. They are being tuned for different purposes. They can be made cheaper now. The technology is no longer the rare jewel it was a few short years ago. The new ford focus has a dct transmission. The 2013 mustang GT will have DCT. Mitsubishi was thefirst to be able to put a reasonablly priced DCT trransmission in the EVO. It would cost more to fix, that is true, but also you can't compare the DCT in the GT-R to what the Z will get. The DCT in the GTR is capable of holding ridiculous amounts of HP. I'm sure the Z capabilty will be better than the current 7at. But not as good as the GTR

Anything suitable for the Z will add quite a bit to the price. It jacks up the price on the EVO by like 5 grand.

If I'd wanted an auto I'd have bought the GTR.

In the UK the auto is 1400 pounds more not free. They must look at the demographics and determine their best sales strategy.

Maybe they'll add a few other thigs and just make It another options package like the sports package. The Cayman has a DCT, right? Maybe that will also help motivate Nissan to put one in the Z for the next gen since Nissan is targeting the Cayman S with the 370Z.

I could see that happening.

$5,000 is a gross overstatement. Its about $3,000. Considering a DCT at worst will add 5% hp and we spend about the same in aftermarket parts to get similar results. I don't see how this would be a bad investment. But with these new dcts emerging. I doubt the new DCT would cost more than $2700:

2011 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR Price With Options

Mitsubishi subsidized the price to keep the Evo selling.

What are you talking about adding 5% horsepower?

Also, the 5 speed in the GSR is much more expensive to manufacture than the 6 speed in the Z. It's actually a transmission built to handle abuse.

I daily drive my Z 40mi/day on highways and streets. And while there are times when the MT annoys me I don't think I would switch to an AT. That being said the AT is a beast as far as speed/precision and would be geared for someone not comfortable with MT control.

To get me to switch over I'd need a test drive and some other incentive besides dual-clutch. How about dual-clutch, Nismo package, and one of the umbrella girls from Tein?

The DCT for the Cayman costs like $3.5k. I don't know if that helps or not.

I drove the Boxster S with the fancy auto box, it is overrated

Also, a problem that I had with my evo x mr was that I couldn't add too much power (only about 20-30hp) without having the clutches slip. Same thing would probably happen to the z as the DCT will of course not be as good as the GTR. The real cost factor would be upgrading the clutch, not actually buying the option from the factory as it would probably be the same as getting a sport package.
I agree, MT is more fun, but DCT adds such a huge advantage on the track. With that being said, I would still buy the MT only bc I want to have a traditional sports car (front engine, RWD, MT) and bc I have already had my fun with DCT before.
I would say DCT is for a track driver, not a daily driver

who the hell buys an automatic sports car? It's the equivalent of sleeping with someone who is missing her right tits.

You're thinking of front wheel drive.