Volkswagen Boss Confirms 10-speed DSG Auto, New e-Turbo Diesel

Volkswagen will soon join the growing list of carmakers adding more ratios to their auto shifters, confirming this week that a new 10-speed DSG transmission is in the works. 

Volkswagen Group boss Martin Winterkorn announced the project at this week's Vienna Motor Symposium, where he also revealed details of a new high-performance diesel engine. 

The new transmission will mark a significant step beyond the six- and seven-speed DSG automatics found in the current carmaker's current models, although it won't be the first to make the move. 

Rivals include Hyundai - known to be working on a 10-speed unit - along with a General Motors and Ford alliance on nine-  and 10-speed shifters, and specialist ZF with its new nine-speed auto.

In Australia, Jeep's brand-new Cherokee is expected to be the first model to reach into the beyond, debuting with the new ZF auto.

The race for more ratios is being driven by Europe's strict CO2 emissions laws, giving carmakers a 2020 deadline to cut average fleet emissions to 95g/km or less. 

Dr Winterkorn also confirmed development of a new high-performance diesel engine that will deliver 100kW per litre while offering segment-leading fuel consumption figures.

"Since the year 2000, we’ve reduced the fuel consumption of our TDI and TSI engines by more than 30 percent," Dr Winterkorn said.

"I’m convinced that by 2020 we can achieve further increases in efficiency of around 15 percent."

Among the new diesel engine's technologies will be a variable valve-train assembly, a high-pressure injection system at up to 3000 bar, and a new electric turbocharger Volkswagen calls "e-booster".