Kia launches its first seven-speed DCT gearbox in the new “GT Line” versions

Seven-speed DCT dual-clutch gearbox

Kia launches its first seven-speed DCT dual-clutch gearbox. It will be presented at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show and will be fitted to the new Kia Cee’d “GT Line”.

It handles more torque, up to 300 Nm, than the existing six-speed automatic gearbox with torque converter. It allows faster gear changes, which fits the sporty character of the new Cee’d “GT Line”. The new DCT gearbox will be paired with the 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine producing 133 CV.

It was developed at the R&D centre that Kia has in Namyang, Korea, where they also developed the new 1.0-litre T-GDI “Kappa” three-cylinder engine that will be present at the 2015 Geneva Show. The goals were a pleasant feel in manual mode, comfort and smoothness in automatic mode, improving acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h by between 3% and 4% and reducing consumption by between 5% and 7% depending on the model. European homologation tests, due at the end of 2015, are still pending.

The new DCT gearbox consists of two dry clutches, each driven by an electric motor, which improves response time. It features an innovative double hollow primary shaft, a mechanism that allows the DCT to operate sequentially. The outer primary shaft enables fast engagement of the even gears, while the inner primary shaft engages the odd gears. In this way a more compact size is achieved and a continuous power delivery is possible.

During full-throttle acceleration or hard braking, the driver keeps control of the vehicle at all times, since anticipating the next required gear makes any manoeuvre easier. The result is more constant acceleration and smoother driving without abrupt gear jumps or loss of power.

Another objective for the engineers developing the new DCT gearbox was reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). The installation of an external damper ensures a high level of refinement.

The new seven-speed dual-clutch DCT gearbox will be available in Europe in the fourth quarter of 2015. Besides the new Cee’d “GT Line” it will be available on other Kia models.

Source | Kia

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackKIA Ceed10 versions · from 25,815 €