Kia, along with sister brand Hyundai, are now serious contenders – technologically anyway. They’ve been a bit behind the times with their engines and gearboxes in recent years, choosing instead to focus on interior feel and quality build materials. That all changes now, as Kia have launched a new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) – which will debut in the Kia cee’d GT Line at the Geneva Motor Show.
Volkswagen, BMW, Audi, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz have all been at the forefront of proving that dual-clutch transmissions are not only more fuel efficient, but quicker and more efficient in all other aspects than a human being manually shifting gears. The Koreans have now jumped onto the bandwagon – welcome to the modern era Kia!
The new DCT gearbox has been developed by Hyundai-Kia’s Namyang R&D centre, and is more efficient than the current 6-speed automatic, with lower fuel consumption, and according to Kia, sportier driving feel in manual mode, and improved acceleration (0-100km/h) by between 5 and 7%.
The DCT transmission will debut alongside a 98kW 1.6-litre diesel engine in the cee’d GT Line in Geneva, as well as in the new Hyundai Tucson (IX35) which will go on sale later in the year.
It’s been a long time coming, but together with the new 1.0-litre turbo 3-cylinder engine, Kia and Hyundai may finally be able to compete with other brands as well in drivetrain technology as they have done in styling and interior quality.
