Volkswagen's now-famous DSG paddle-shift gearbox has just received a seventh gear, and it will be slotting into various Polo, Golf, Jetta and Passat models shortly, as well a numerous other Audi, Seat and Skoda products.
Like the first generation six-speed DSG, the new gearbox is as much about improving efficiency as it is about providing the driver with some F1-style gearshift thrills. The new 'box takes advantage of its extra cog by shortening the first six gears for better acceleration while a long, stretchy seventh takes care of improving economy on long runs.
Remarkably, the new DSG is actually 7kg lighter than the old six-speed version and VW isn't expected to raise the price, either.
Incidentaly, VW has also confirmed that its new 1.4 TSI 120bhp engine (which uses the same technology as the 140bhp and 170bhp versions but makes do with just a turbocharger and does without the more powerful versions' supercharger) will gradually replace the long-lived 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. The TSI version is more powerful but also more economical and emits less CO2.
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