Honda has developed the world’s first 8-speed dual-clutch transmission equipped with a torque converter that achieves greater fuel economy performance while highlighting the pleasure of driving. The torque converter was adopted to provide smooth, powerful initial acceleration, together with quick shifting enabled by reduced inertia in the driveline; rhythmical, seamless acceleration by multi-staging with close ratios; and other such elements that create a sporty driving feel. Wider range, lower friction, and other such measures have achieved a 15% increase in power performance and an 8% increase in fuel economy performance relative to a conventional 5-speed automatic transmission. The use of common gears across the entire gear train, a unique dual shaft structure, an ultra-flat torque converter, and other such techniques enabled the size and weight to be kept down to the level of a conventional 5-speed automatic transmission for the same vehicle class while simultaneously increasing the number of gear stages.
Article of Honda R&D Technical Review Vol.26 No.2 (125 - 131)