Few vehicles in the early 2010s generated as much discussion—or controversy—as the 2012 Ford Focus transmission. The dual-clutch design was intended to combine efficiency and the driving pleasure of a manual with the ease of an automatic, thereby marking a leap into the future. It was Ford’s ambitious answer to a growing demand for fuel economy without sacrificing driver engagement. Its premise was unquestionably audacious, but its actual performance soon revealed a more nuanced story.