Volkswagen has showcased a new DSG gearbox. This new twin clutch automatic gearbox not only has two distinct clutches that allow it to change the gear faster and be more efficient, it also has the added flexibility of ten gears.

The new gearbox, called the DQ511, is a development of the seven-speed DQ500, and is designed for a peak torque of 56.1kgm. Applying conventional logic, a ten speed gearbox should be proportionately larger and heavier than a seven-speed gearbox of the same design. But the new 10-speed is no larger than the current seven-speed, and doesn't weigh more either. Amazingly, the new box uses the same amount of gear sets as the seven-speed DQ500. This is done by employing an entirely new shifting strategy, so that the existing gears combine differently to form new ratios.

Moreover, only two new additional linkages are used. This also works perfectly for VW's platform strategy as it allows the 10-speed to be seamlessly integrated into all the new VW MQB cars.

VW says it will customise ratios in accordance with the cars' requirement, so you can either have densely stacked gears for strong performance, well spread out ratios for overall benefits, or even super tall ratios for ultra efficient cruising. In fact, one of the biggest benefits of the new 10-speed gearbox is the increase in the average gear ratios over the earlier seven-speed, without any compromise in driveability; the new box has an overall average ratio of 10.2 versus 7.9 for the earlier seven-speed.