Volkswagen’s dual-clutch automatic transmission used in the Golf is called DSG.
DSG stands for Direct-Shift Gearbox, Volkswagen’s name for a family of dual-clutch automated transmissions. Instead of using one clutch to operate every gear, a DSG uses two clutches: one generally handles odd-numbered gears and the other even-numbered gears. The next ratio can therefore be selected in advance, allowing very quick shifts.
The Golf R32 became a landmark application. In 2003, Volkswagen offered a six-speed DSG in the Mk4 R32, helping make the Golf the first production car associated with a dual-clutch gearbox. The system combined the convenience of an automatic with rapid ratio changes and the efficiency potential of a manual-style gearbox.
“DCT” is a correct generic description of the technology, but it is not Volkswagen’s product name. PowerShift belongs primarily to Ford’s naming system, while S tronic is Audi’s related branding. DSG versions have varied by engine and generation: the Golf family has used both six-speed wet-clutch and seven-speed versions, including dry-clutch designs.