7-Speed Double-Clutch Gearbox
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=116301
Tiptronic 2.0: Porsche Working on 7-Speed Double-Clutch Gearbox
Date posted: 07-26-2006
ZUFFENHAUSEN, Germany - A series of patent applications filed by Porsche hints the German carmaker is planning to replace its existing 5-speed Tiptronic gearbox with a new 7-speed double-clutch gearbox in the Boxster, Cayman and 911.
It was originally intended to be launched on the recently introduced 911 Turbo, but delays in the development of the new gearbox now mean it is unlikely to appear until the face-lifted version of the current 997-series 911 is unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show next year.
Although remaining tight-lipped on when the new gearbox will be introduced, Porsche's head of R&D, Wolfgang Durheimer, describes the double-clutch system as a significant breakthrough. "It will take us to the next performance plane, particularly in terms of acceleration," he told Inside Line.
Porsche is planning to offer the 7-speed unit as an option alongside its standard 6-speed manual gearbox. The existing 5-speed Tiptronic is expected to be dropped, since the new gearbox will have both manual and automatic shift modes.
Porsche isn't the only carmaker planning to introduce a 7-speed double-clutch gearbox. Volkswagen is working on a similar system, albeit for transverse engine applications, as the next step up from its existing 6-speed DSG unit; it could be used on future Polo, Golf, and Passat models. And Audi is using the same technology to develop such a gearbox for longitudinal engine layouts.
What this means to you: Porsche is taking its time sorting its new double-clutch gearbox, but you can be sure that when it arrives, it will give its cars a major boost in performance.
i've been thinking the same thing
So maybe I lease the Tip now... 
