BMW_Dude

The new BMW M3 will get a seven-speed double-clutch gearbox as an alternative to the standard six-speed manual.
Official confirmation of the long-rumoured transmission came via a document issued to BMW dealers confirming the car’s specification.
The new gearbox, called M DCT, will be available from March 2008. Made by BMW’s long-standing transmission partner Getrag, it will provide rapid and nearly imperceptible shifts.
The speed of a double-clutch transmission is likely to improve the M3’s 4.8sec 0-62mph time by a couple of tenths of a second. The system should offer significantly smoother shifts than BMW’s SMG transmission in the M5 and M6.
The transmission will be controlled by a combination of a shift lever, likely to be similar to the M5 and X5’s joystick control, and steering wheel paddles.
The 'box has been exclusively developed for BMW, and different versions are destined for the 3-series and the 5-series.
Other options for the M3 (on sale in September) include 19in alloy wheels and electronic damper control. The carbonfibre roof will be standard.

Source = Autocar

Curb Zone

 

Imhotep Evil

And Eni told us that it will in effect be a combination between a dual clutch and a sequential.

chonkoa

This adds to excitement. I can hardly wait for Car Mags to get hold of this beast....

Harry Plopper

This is a civil version of the gearbox:

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

M version is developed even further - being much more performance oriented. Code "ZSG". Having "additional M-specific shifting programs available". MDrive ... I heard even FlexRay.

Audi & Porsche are working on something very similar ...

S'Pimp

a few necessary options: M-Drive = M-special mapping for motor; M-Driver´s Package = derestricted

PC Valkyrie

Now I'm really interested.......the next V8 M3 has all the potential to be a great car. SMGII and SMGIII were great transmissions for the track but weren't the best for everyday driving at modest speeds, especially in automatic mode. Now this new DSG type of gearbox will hopefully cure all of that......fast shift speeds when you need it, and smooth comfortable shifts in automatic mode when you are just driving in traffic.

I wonder if Audi will put this type of gearbox in the next RS4 or RS5?

For Mercedes Benz and AMG, I doubt they will put this type of gearbox into the upcoming C63. They will almost certainly stick with their current 7 speed "Speedshift" automatic transmission tuned by AMG. Although the AMG tuned automatic transmission shifts very quickly and gives you complete control in manual mode, it does not blip the throttle for rev matched downshifts. This is the major drawback when compared to these latest DSG/SMG type transmissions which perform rev-matched downshifts. Heck, even BMW's new Steptronic automatic transmission in the current 3 series does this.......

The Emperor

Are you for real or what?

S'Pimp

Yeah!
280-290km/h, Driver-Training.
Same sh.t as CSL, only without semi-tires.
Same code: 07ME

Harry Plopper

Also available for other M-models (M5, M6, ...). At least in Germany.

BMW_Dude

I knew Mercedes offered delimiting the top speed to 186mph on AMG models, but never knew BMW did!

Is this for all M models, and since when was this offered?

Curb Zone