![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.stoth.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-o-matic\/cache\/6becf_630lotuspatent.jpg\")
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“Simplify, then add lightness.” Those are the famous words spoken by Sir Colin Chapman, the father of Lotus and one of the automotive world’s great geniuses. Speaking of genius, the dual-clutch transmission (at a sane price point) is a major step forward. It combines the automaticness<\/em> of an automatic with the manualness<\/em> of a manual and the speed of a bullet. The trouble is, dual-clutches are complex and heavy. But what if the company Colin built had their way? What if you could simplify a dual-clutch, and make it lighter?<\/p>\n “What if” indeed. Lotus has reportedly filed a patent application for some sort of dual-clutch. We say “some sort” because not only are we not patent attorneys, the “oily bits” in a dual-clutch are a little bit Greek to us. Besides, patent apps are meant to be a bit vague – they don’t want to give too much away. Anyhow, long story short – do we want a track-burning Exige that can swap gears in mere milliseconds? Yes, we most certainly do. Text of the application after the jump<\/a>.<\/p>\n [Source: Jalopnik<\/a>]<\/p>\n Continue reading Report: Lotus files patent application for new dual-clutch transmission<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Report: Lotus files patent application for new dual-clutch transmission<\/a> originally appeared on Autoblog<\/a> on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read<\/a> | Permalink<\/a> | Email this<\/a> | Comments<\/a><\/p>\n<\/h6>\n