They might be a bit late to the game, but it was discovered recently that General Motors has filed patents for a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Even if their cars don’t really need a DCT from a technical point of view, but it is good for prestige to have it on the options list.

Every car manufacturer is using dual-clutch affairs these days, and it is about time for GM to jump on the wagon. The new transmission will gradually replace eight-speed and the older six-speed ‘boxes. But at first, you can expect to see it in high-performance models such as the Corvette and the powerful versions of the Camaro.

A 7-speed dual-clutch in the new Corvette sounds like an especially delicious recipe. If you think it is not going to that big a difference, look out the latest version of the Audi R8. The car used to be pretty good with its normal auto, but with the DCT it is simply brilliant. The same applies to the Corvette, especially as there is a more powerful Z07 model in the works, which is said to have nearly 600 horsepower.

At any rate, it is unlikely to see a dual-clutch-equipped GM car sooner than 2015.

Via CorvetteForum