I briefly owned a 2009 VW Passat Estate – the 2.0L (138 bhp? TDi Highline version), with the DSG gearbox. Pulling out of a side road or entering a traffic island could prove unnerving as there was a district hesitation when the throttle was opened suddenly.
I would be interested in your comments on the following points in respect of a diesel vehicle:
The drive train of a diesel vehicle equipped with a torque converter gearbox is protected from sudden high torque by the nature of the “fluid” coupling.

A DSG-type gearbox mechanically transmits the high torque instantly to the drive train.

Limiting instantaneous throttle opening to protect the drive train in a non-torque converter auto gearbox-equipped vehicle is probably the reason why my Passat hesitated in the manner described.

Problems with DSG gearboxes are more frequent than with torque converter gearboxes.

All modern diesel vehicles (excluding those with torque converter gearboxes) employ a dual-mass flywheel – designed to absorb instantaneous high torque.

Dual mass flywheels are inherently unreliable.

In order, the preferred choice of auto transmission type should be; torque converter/CVT/DSG.

I have owned automatic diesel vehicles for the past 20 years, and I have become increasingly disenchanted as they have grown more complex and troublesome due to emissions regulations. ! will probably choose a smaller auto transmission petrol vehicle (eg, Honda Jazz/Mazda 3 sized?) next, for this reason.

Can you please comment on the pro and cons of a CVT transmission, and do you have any particular recommended vehicle manufacturer utilising this type of gearbox?

! have read criticisms of both VAG group DSG and Ford “Powershift” gearboxes. Are there any DSG/CVT-type gearboxes that you would recommend – and do any of those manufactures use a Dual Mass flywheel for petrol vehicles?

Thanks