[volkman10]

Skoda to bring in new automatic gearbox next year, replacing the 7 speed DSG!

Will be an eight-speed gearbox
Expected to replace the seven-speed DSG

It is expected to arrive with the Kushaq facelift and replace the seven-speed DSG currently used in VW and Skoda cars.

The automaker has also hinted that it is working to localise the production of the gearbox to keep prices in control. Sources indicate that it will be the Aisn AQ300 gearbox and that it could see wider use across the group.

This gearbox can handle 300Nm, a number Skoda is expected to offer making it the most powerful powertrain in the segment when it is launched. The jump from 250Nm to 300Nm for the 1.5-litre engine is also expected to improve drivability and most importantly mileage. Currently, the Slavia 1.5 AT has a mileage of 19.36kmpl while the Kushaq 1.5 AT has a mileage of 18.86kmpl.

Link:

[Vipin Kumar]

VW is still producing the 1.5 TSI in MT variants. I think it is Skoda that has done away with 1.5 MT in Kushaq and Slavia.

[volkman10]

More details .

Skoda-Volkswagen cars to get new 8-speed AT gearbox in 2026.

Current Aisin-sourced AQ250 6-speed AT will be phased out; new AQ300 gearbox will be more efficient.

The Skoda-Volkswagen India 2.0 cars – Kushaq, Slavia, Taigun and Virtus – will adopt a new Aisin-sourced 8-speed torque converter automatic gearbox in 2026, around 6-8 months after their next mid-lifecycle update that’s due from 2025 onwards.
New gearbox will be important to meet CAFÉ III norms

Skoda, who leads the development of the India 2.0 cars, is now looking to localize the upcoming 8-speed torque converter unit (AQ300) that’s replacing the 6-speed unit globally. However, the volumes are still too low to make this project viable.

Skoda-VW hopes that other automakers like Maruti-Suzuki and MG Motor India who currently also use the AQ250 gearbox will all upgrade to the AQ300 unit to make a business case for local production of the new 8-speed unit.

More importantly, the new gearbox will be crucial in helping Skoda-VW meet the upcoming CAFÉ III norms in India. An 8-speed gearbox offers closer-ratio steps between gears, allowing for smoother transitions and less fuel wastage during acceleration and deceleration. In standardized drive cycles, this can reduce the load on the engine and improve overall fuel efficiency and reduce CO2.


Link:

[katsumoto]

From https://gearboxlist.com/volkswagen/aq300/

This is a reliable gearbox, but it is very important to keep its cooling system clean.
The heat exchanger often becomes clogged by 100,000 km and the automatic transmission begins to overheat.
This reduces the life of the Teflon rings, causing the lubricant pressure in the system to drop.
Then the clutches in the packages begin to burn and by 200,000 km a gearbox overhaul is required.
Other problems are associated with contamination of the valve body with friction wear products.

Not sure how are these going to pan out for hotter climate countries...

[volkman10]

Current Aisin-sourced AQ250 6-speed AT will be phased out; new AQ300 gearbox will be more efficient.

This new gearbox will replace the current 6-speed AT unit (AQ250) that’s offered with the 1.0-litre TSI turbo-petrol engine.

Skoda, who leads the development of the India 2.0 cars, is now looking to localize the upcoming 8-speed torque converter unit (AQ300) that’s replacing the 6-speed unit globally. However, the volumes are still too low to make this project viable.

Skoda-VW hopes that other automakers like Maruti-Suzuki and MG Motor India who currently also use the AQ250 gearbox will all upgrade to the AQ300 unit to make a business case for local production of the new 8-speed unit.

More importantly, the new gearbox will be crucial in helping Skoda-VW meet the upcoming CAFÉ III norms in India. An 8-speed gearbox offers closer-ratio steps between gears, allowing for smoother transitions and less fuel wastage during acceleration and deceleration. In standardized drive cycles, this can reduce the load on the engine and improve overall fuel efficiency and reduce CO2.

Link:

[DicKy]

is now looking to localize the upcoming 8-speed torque converter unit (AQ300) that’s replacing the 6-speed unit globally. However, the volumes are still too low to make this project viable.

Skoda-VW hopes that other automakers like Maruti-Suzuki and MG Motor India who currently also use the AQ250 gearbox will all upgrade to the AQ300 unit to make a business case for local production of the new 8-speed unit.

For the 1.0l? Thought the 8 speed would be for the 1.5l replacing ther DSG.

More than Maruti or MG, Skoda-VW should be hoping that their proposed partner, Mahindra, adopts the the new gearbox.

[Aditya]

Skoda, VW cars could get a new 8-speed automatic gearbox - Posts moved to a new thread.

[NICHE]

Hope they will replace both AQ250 and DQ200. It will be hard to pick the not so reliable DQ200 over an 8 speed auto.

[superblover]

This was needed not just for the CAFE norms, but also to introduce some differentiation between the Kushaq/Taigun and the Kylaq/VW counterpart. They are in a bit of a quandary since the 1.0 TSI variants of the 4.3 metre cars feels extremely overpriced for what's on offer.
Hopefully this higher power figure and a rejig with the facelift by adding a few features will help make the larger cars justify their price tags. It would be wishful thinking, but I hope they bring in a 2.0 TSI engine for RS/R-Line variants in a limited edition for these cars to make them attractive for enthusiasts.

[Venkatesh]

Regarding the new 8-speed automatic gearbox.

[Game_of_Roads]

Originally Posted by katsumoto

From https://gearboxlist.com/volkswagen/aq300/

Not sure how are these going to pan out for hotter climate countries...

These disadvantages listed are not very different from that of the current AQ250 that's doing duty on the current VW 2.0 cars in India. IMO the AQ300 might offer a bit more generational enhancements plus the added 2 more gears.

https://gearboxlist.com/volkswagen/aq250/

Disadvantages of the VW AQ250 gearbox

This is a reliable gearbox, but its service life is highly dependent on the cleanliness of the cooling system.
Due to a clogged heat exchanger, the automatic transmission has to be rebuilt at 150,000 km.
It is also important to change the oil every 60,000 km or wear products will clog the valve body.
The torque converter locking clutch is not durable; it wears out after 150,000 km.
And if it is not replaced in time, the vibrations will break the oil pump bushing.

[sjain2054]

On Team-BHP, I remember reading a line that is stuck in my head for some reason. I do not remember who wrote it. It went something like -

"Putting a torque converter on a VW-Skoda and calling it reliable is like going to Afghanistan, after the war is over, for a safe holiday"

So, I am no expert on VW-Skodas because I have only ever driven the Polo 1.2 TSI in my life that too 10 years back for 30 mins. I will go with what the experts and owners on T-BHP have to say.

My take on it, based purely on things I have read, is that the fast shifting DSG is what makes the TSI engines more fun (the other thing being the suspension & chassis of VW-Skoda cars). Therefore, a wet clutch DSG is what I would go for in a VW-Skoda. The 8AT might be reliable and give more spread to the torque but will it take the fun out of fast shifting gears? I do not know. The BMW 9 speed does not take the fun out of driving so maybe this 8AT will be similar? These are the answers I will look for when I read more on this thread.

[dsr001]

Originally Posted by sjain2054

So, I am no expert on VW-Skodas because I have only ever driven the Polo 1.2 TSI in my life that too 10 years back for 30 mins. I will go with what the experts and owners on T-BHP have to say.

My take on it, based purely on things I have read, is that the fast shifting DSG is what makes the TSI engines more fun (the other thing being the suspension & chassis of VW-Skoda cars).

I have driven 1.0 tsi with 6AT (Torque Convertor), it feels well tuned and also comes with a sports mode. I have taken short drives of 1.5 tsi with 7dsg and I didn't find much difference. With expressway becoming common, I think would be good to have an 8AT, one can cruise at 120kph at 1500 rpm so more fuel economy and more comfort.

[Muscle Boyy]

Oops….Confused
Is the 8 speed AT replacing both the 6 speed AT and 7 speed DSG from 1.0 and 1.5 TSI engines respectively?

[YashOjha15]

Originally Posted by Muscle Boyy

Oops….Confused
Is the 8 speed AT replacing both the 6 speed AT and 7 speed DSG from 1.0 and 1.5 TSI engines respectively?

It's replacing the 7 speed DSG box (DQ200).