a system for actuating a clutch that alternately driveably connects and disconnects components , includes a clutch having a piston that includes a first apply area and a second apply area , a fluid pressure source , a source of variable control pressure , and a control coupled with the fluid pressure source and operative in response to the control pressure to engage the clutch initially by increasing pressure steadily at the first apply area up to a first magnitude followed by a rapid increase in pressure at the first apply area and the second apply area above the first magnitude to a second magnitude .