It is suited to roads with lots of gear changes such as hilly routes or having lots of curves and bends.The I-Shift Dual Clutch provides the most value with heavy loads and under difficult driving conditions, such as is often encountered in logging applications. It is a transmission consisting of two input shafts and a dual clutch. It can be described as two gearboxes linked together. When one gearbox is active, the next gear is preselected in the other gearbox. This allows two gears to be selected at the same time. The clutch determines which gear will be active. The gear change takes place without any interruption in power delivery as the first gearbox is disconnected at the same instant as the second gearbox is selected. Engine torque is therefore maintained and driving comfort improved. There is also less chance of slipping or getting stuck on uneven and wet roads, such as during log haulage operations.
Despite its many components, the new gearbox is only 12 cm longer than the regular I-Shift transmission. Fuel consumption is the same as the I-Shift. The Dual Clutch will be available on the new Volvo FH with Euro 6 D13 engines and with 460, 500 and 540 horsepower. It will be an alternative to the I-Shift and manual transmission. Source: www.volvotrucks.com