Oh good, not just me then! Our X-trail features a very slushy 4-speed torque convertor box, but at least it responds to the pedal input from stationary without thinking about it.

The mother-in-law's Jazz CVT auto is postiviely sporting off the mark compared to the 1.2TSI DSG!

That said, once on the move the changes and smoothness were impressive. Not impressive enough to excuse the hesitancy though.

I've never driven a petrol with a DSG, but the diesels I've had and driven as courtesy cars were all excellent. Unfortunately I was driving a courtesy car as my own DSG became hesitant and dangerous - it required a new mechatronic unit - £1500 + labour.

If anyone has a DSG which they think is deteriorating get a drive in an equivalent and see if they are all the same. It was after driving my courtesy car that I realised just how bad mine had become. As my failure took a few months to get really bad I think I adapted my driving to accommodate it.

No autobox available in C3 Picasso, I'm afraid.

Yes, maybe, just like in a new C4, a terrible and hopeless 4-speed PSA/Siemens AL4 tranny that simply can't stand 7-speed DSG competition. Wake up, Citroen !

Just to comment. I've said this before, but the hesitancy mentioned by myself & others is more marked on the 7 speed dsg than the 6 speed.

Where was the gaping chasm in the ratios of the 6 speed that required an extra gear? No doubt someone will decide that 7 speeds are inadequate and only the addition of an additional speed will resolve the thorny problem. Oh wait... It's a fair bet that however the manufacturerer sets up an autobox, 50% of drivers will complain that it is too abrupt and unrefined, and the other 50% will complain that it is slurring and lethargic. The correct 'grabbiness' of a clutch set up and the transmission shift point cannot be ascertained by current throttle position/engine speed; it is governed by what is GOING to happen in the near future-which only the driver can determine. Convoluted 'fuzzy logic' cannot compensate for this. If you can't be bothered to operate your own car, you can't complain when the computer doesn't operate it to your liking. If you must use an autobox, pick a nice 5 speed/torque converter and add 10% to the displacement of the engine. A fluid coupling is really the only correct way to operate an autobox-and they lock-up in the higher gears anyway. With hydraulic clutches, governed idle speeds and synchronised reverse gears, manuals are a cinch to drive-even in heavy traffic. The direct-super-macho-mega-turbo robotized transmission is an unhappy marriage of two different technologies. I would stay clear.

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" If you must use an autobox, pick a nice 5 speed/torque converter "

Easy to say. Let's say I fancy a new Citroen C4 because of its smooth ride. Sorry sir, our 1.6 Petrol 120 HP A/T combination delivers only 4 speed. And yes, it's a classic torque converter thingy.

Trouble is, they've become rare. It's only dual-clutch wherever you go these days.

Edited by Vincent de Marco on 17/04/2011 at 18:21

I still opine that 6 speeds combined with a torque converter is superfluous. Unlike a clutch, fluid couplings can 'slip' during gear changes without damage-so fewer ratios are required. Gears shouldn't be seen in the same light as horsepower (ie you can never have too much in reserve). Gears are in constant mesh and each additional one adds bulk, weight and parasitic friction to the drivetrain. Lorries often used to use two transmissions in series ie a 5 speed main and 4 speed auxillary. The trend died a death when turbos widened the engine power band and synchromesh made block shifting easier. 7 and 8 speed transmissions in cars are a marketing fad with no mechanical merit.