'Fly-by-wire' clutch

[Luke Plaizier]

What with the recent conversation around the death of the Manual thanks to DSG and multi-speed auto's, I've sprouted an idea.

DSG's are destined to replace manuals altogether, and the clutch in a DSG is computer controlled - but some people still report that the move-from-standstill engagement of a DSG clutch is still not seemless.

So here's the idea. We have Electronic throttles now, and steering that is Electronically assisted, and Brakes that are electronically assisted - why not just take that one extra step to satsify those (like me) with a penchant for driving a manual and do the same with a clutch?

To me, if a DSG is already driven by a computer, all the computer needs is a digital range input provided by a clutch pedal, and voila, the driver would input into how the clutch(es) engage. Do the same with digital input from a 6-shifting H-Gate and the retro simulation would be complete. Something akin to a Logitech G27 springs to mind here. Although the noise of grinding gears on missed shifts might have to be simulated.....

Clutches would all be light and easy to use if you wished, manual gears would all be snickety snick and not a source of NVH into the vehicle, and you'd eliminate DSG take-off issues if you wanted to. Values such as clutch-take up (or 'dead zone' as it's called in the Sim Racing world) would be adjustable. The weight of the pedal and other tactile feedback values could be adjusted. Driving your favourite stretch of tar or country road would still be fun. And if you drive into a city, you can still go to auto-clutch tiptronic mode, or full automatic.

How could the best of every driving mode NOT be a good thing?

Discuss.


Lukeyson