Skoda & Volkswagen have announced plans to introduce a new 8-speed automatic torque converter gearbox (AQ300) for their India 2.0 project cars, including the Skoda Kushaq, Slavia, Volkswagen Taigun, and Virtus, starting in 2026. This new gearbox will replace the current 6-speed torque converter unit (AQ250) sourced from Aisin. The 7-speed DSG might also get replaced.
The new 8-speed gearbox is expected to offer closer gear ratios, resulting in smoother gear transitions and improved fuel efficiency. This change is part of Skoda and Volkswagen’s strategy to meet the upcoming Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) III norms. The additional gears will help reduce fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions.
Skoda India’s brand director, Petr Janeba, mentioned that the company is looking to localize the production of the new gearbox. However, the volumes are currently too low to make this viable, and Skoda is inviting other automakers like Maruti-Suzuki and MG Motor India to join the initiative. Once the scale is achieved, local production will help reduce costs and make the components easier to repair.
The introduction of the new 8-speed gearbox will also allow Skoda and Volkswagen to boost the performance of their TSI turbo-petrol engines. The new gearbox can handle higher torque, enabling the brands to extract more power from their engines. Additionally, the torque converter is known for its reliability, especially in stop-go traffic, compared to the previous dry clutch dual-clutch transmission (DQ200).
With the launch of the new 8-speed automatic gearbox, Skoda and Volkswagen aim to enhance the driving experience of their customers while meeting stricter emission norms. The move is expected to make their vehicles more competitive in the Indian market. While this would definitely be an upgrade over the 6-speed AT, however, it is not clear if the 7-speed DSG will also be replaced.
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