As manual transmissions face near-extinction, many automakers are replacing the sweet and engaging stick shift with different self-shifting transmissions in their top sports cars. Popular among many gearheads is the dual-clutch transmission. It is more performance-oriented and frugal than Automated Manual Transmissions (AMT) and continuous variable transmissions (CVT).

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The dual or twin-clutch transmission uses two clutches that divide the gears into odd and even gear sets, thus eliminating the need for the traditional clutch pedal. As a result, gear changes become extremely rapid compared to manual and automatic transmissions. But it’s not a new technology. Adolphe Kégresse invented the concept back in 1939 but it didn’t gain much popularity until Audi and Porsche implemented it in their endurance race cars during the ‘70s and ‘80s. The 2003 Volkswagen Golf R32 became the first mass-produced passenger car featuring a dual-clutch transmission.

Arguably the best solution to manual transmissions, dual-clutch transmissions are popular in performance sports cars and supercars. Here are the 10 best sports cars armed with dual-clutch transmissions.

10 Acura NSX (2nd Gen)

2022 Acura NSX Type S
Acura

The 2nd-gen NSX did its best to rewrite history books as one of the best supercars from the Land of the Rising Sun, offering the same reliability and practicality as the original NSX. It takes inspiration from the ‘90s legend but extends its remit to include a potent 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine.

Honda NSX - Front quarter view
via: Honda

Powered by a hybrid powertrain, the engine combines with three electric motors to produce a combined output of 573 hp. Power gets delivered to all wheels via a nine-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and a Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system. The broad gear spread provides excellent acceleration and response. This means 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds before hitting a top speed of 191mph.

9 Audi R8

Audi R8 Front Quarter Yellow
Audi

Audi R8 is the brand’s top model based on the Lamborghini Huracan platform. The sports car features an ever-increasing performance since it rolled out the production line. The present model boasts a fire-breathing V10 engine that cranks out 562 hp.

Audi R8 Rear Quarter Yellow
via Audi

A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that shifts gears in as fast as 120 milliseconds delivers the prodigious power to all wheels. It’s not the smoothest gearbox as the abrupt downshifts spawn undesired neck-snapping acceleration followed by an instantaneous upshift. Regardless, the powertrain jets the car from zero to 60mph in 3.6 seconds.

8 Nissan R35 GT-R

Nissan-GT-R_Nismo (White) - Front
via Nissan

The Nissan GT-R, aka Godzilla, needs no introduction. While the modern GT-R is the successor to the iconic Skyline GT-R, it’s not a member of the Skyline model lineup as the moniker is now reserved for the brand’s luxury-sport cars. This iteration gets its juice from a hand-built 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that churns out 565 hp and 467 lb-ft of torque.

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R-35 GT-R rear third quarter view
NIssan

The Nissan GT-R, aka Godzilla, needs no introduction. While the modern GT-R is the successor to the iconic Skyline GT-R, it’s not a member of the Skyline model lineup as the moniker is now reserved for the brand’s luxury-sport cars. This iteration gets its juice from a hand-built 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that churns out 565 hp and 467 lb-ft of torque.

7 Porsche 911 Carrera

Orange 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Parked Outside
via Porsche

Porsche’s belief in the dual-clutch transmission technology is perfectly exhibited in the Porsche 911 as the German automaker introduced the 992-generation in the U.S. with a standard DCT as the only option. And while gearheads love the stick-shift transmission, Porsche’s dual-clutch automatic is arguably the world’s best self-shifting gearbox.

Orange 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Parked Outside
via Porsche

Offered as a coupe, cabriolet, or Targa, the Carrera gets power from a rear-mounted 3.0-liter flat-six that produces 379 hp in the base model, 443 hp in the S, and 473 hp in the GTS. All models come with a quick-shifting standard 8-speed PDK transmission, but a sweet 7-speed stick shift is available in the S and GTS models. No matter the transmission, the 911 gets off the line super-fast, especially when you utilize its launch control perfectly.

6 Ford GT Supercar (2nd Gen)

Yellow 2017 Ford-GT
Ford

Ford introduced this 2nd-gen Ford GT in 2015, following a decade-old hiatus since the termination of the 1st generation. The car recalls the legendary GT40, albeit in a more aerodynamic package. Ford GT boasts competitive aerodynamic efficiency, low downforce, and a stunningly powerful 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 engine rated at 660 hp and 550 lb-ft of torque

Red Ford GT Supercar
Via USAToday

The engine, which shares components with the F-150’s, delivers power through a Getrag 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, turning the GT into a speed demon whether on track or on the road. It has a claimed top speed of 216mph and accelerates from 0-60mph in an eye-blinking 3.0 seconds.

5 McLaren 720S

McLaren 720S
via McLaren

The McLaren 720S replaced the 650s, becoming McLaren’s second all-new supercar. Like its predecessor, it is a quick, beautiful, and engaging supercar. Whether driving the convertible or fixed-roof coupe, the 4.0-liter V8 engine produces rocket-like acceleration and a harmonious soundtrack that’ll sure put a smile on your face

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2021 McLaren 720S GT3X
Via carporn- Reddit

The engine sends 710 hp (or 720 PS, hence giving the car its name) and 568 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The car takes 2.8 seconds to hit 60mph before reaching 124 mph in a breathtaking 7.8 seconds.

4 BMW M2 Competition

BMW M2 Competition drifting
BMW

The badass M2 Competition is basically a souped-up BMW 2-series. Compared to the regular M2 coupe, it features a more powerful engine – a detuned high-performance N55 variant in the F80 M3 and F82 M4. The snorty 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six pumps out 405 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, which is 40 hp and 63 lb-ft of torque than the standard M2.

the-new-bmw-m2-competition-via-BMW-Group
Via BMW Group

This output gets to the rear wheels via an optional 7-speed dual-clutch automatic but gearheads will love the standard 6-speed manual transmission. Elsewhere, the car gets from 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds for the manual models and 4.2 seconds for the DCT models.

3 Mercedes-AMG GT

Mercedes-Benz-AMG-GT-Coupe-(Blue)---Front
Mercedes-Benz

The Mercedes Benz-AMG GT is more than just an elegant shape. It’s a capable high-performance sports car developed in-house by Mercedes-AMG and the automaker’s answer to Audi R8 and the Porsche 911. Under the hood is a hand-crafted 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that produces 523 hp in the AMG GT and 550 hp in the GT C.

Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+
Via NetCarShow

The engine drives power to the rear wheels via a seven-speed SPEEDSHIFT dual-clutch transmission. This rear-mounted transmission links to a rigid carbon-fiber driveshaft to help create a 47:53 front/rear weight distribution. Even though the gearbox lacks the lightning-shift speed of its competitors, it’s fast enough to propel the car from a standstill to 60mph in 3.7 seconds for the AMG GT and 3.6 seconds for the more powerful GT C.

2 Lamborghini Huracán Performante

Yellow 2018 lamborghini huracan performante
Lamborghini

The Huracan Performante takes the notion of supercars to a whole new level. It takes just getting behind the wheel to realize the Performante is not your ordinary Huracan. It boasts a re-engineered package regarding the car’s power, weight, and above all, the new innovative active aerodynamic ALA system.

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Lamborghini Huracan Performante Orange White models
Via Lamborghini Seattle

Another redesigned feature is the 631 hp 5.2-liter V10 engine paired with a 7-speed LDF dual-clutch transmission that snaps off shifts automatically or via a pair of paddle shifters. The transmission’s performance depends on your selected mode, meaning the quickest time from 0-60 mph takes 2.7 seconds and achieves a maximum speed of 201 mph.

1 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z06

2023-Chevrolet-Corvette-Z06-003 (1)
Chevrolet 
 

Set to hit our roads for the 2023 model year, the C8 Z06 looks nothing like the previous Z06s. It features an engine mounted behind the driver, and unlike the C7 Z06, the engine is now naturally aspirated. The high-revving 5.5-liter V8 LT6 produces 670 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque.

2023-Chevrolet-Corvette-Z06-002
Via Chevrolet Media

The combined output reaches the rear wheels through the same 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission in the C8 Stingray, but it gets a shorter final drive ratio in the Z06. Thanks to the lightning-fast shifting transmission, te Z06 gets from zero to 60 mph in a scant 2.6 seconds. Even better, the double-paddle de-clutch feature lets you enjoy manual-like shifting, and you can perform a free-rev.