Good insight ...thanks -- I wondered about clutch life too. Do you know if the present examples are dry- or wet-clutched?
I was thinking that eventualy the programming might be opened to the aftermarket or, more likely, 'cracked' by the companies that supply the dyno shops with their tune-management software today such that the DCT (and traction control) becomes part of the mix.
Lacking that, it seems DCTs would give the manufacturers another tool/aspect to offer selectable 'personalities/modes' (e.g. std, sport, launch etc.) thru a cohesive total-systems management of the powertrain and it would seem DCTs are a natural for various control-point options (e.g. console-stick, paddle-shift, etc) with exquisitely accurate downshift-rev matching (as is already done on some cars) in certain modes where quicker shifting and minimal clutch 'overlap' time could produce some exciting performance at the touch of a switch ...in theory anyway.
It would seem DCTs have the potential to offer many segment-tailoring and marketing benefits, besides economy, especially in the upscale and hi-po segments -- at least eventually -- and, over time, will bring another component into the 'tuner' mix ...probably inevitable, imo.
Dan