Affordable Cars That You Can Soon Buy With 8 Speed Automatic Gearboxes
A lot of buyers today prefer to buy cars with automatic gearboxes as they offer a lot of convenience. Now there are a few different types of automatic gearboxes, and one of the most common automatic gearboxes is a 6-speed torque converter. Currently, all cars based on the MQB A0 IN platform from the Skoda Auto Volkswagen India group are offered with it. However, the company will soon be replacing this with a new 8-speed AT gearbox.
For those who may not be aware, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India has confirmed that its popular cars will soon be offered with the new 8-speed AISIN (AQ300) automatic gearbox with the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, which makes 114 bhp and 178 Nm of torque. This gearbox will offer better fuel efficiency and solve the problem of gearbox limitation, which is seen with the DQ200 DSG and AQ250 gearboxes.
Currently, the 1.5-litre TSI models of the Skoda and Volkswagen group are limited to 250 Nm of torque. However, the AQ300 will be able to increase this limit and handle torque up to 300 Nm. Now, here is the list of all the cars that will soon be getting the new 8-speed AISIN (AQ300) automatic gearbox.
The first vehicle on this list is the soon-to-be-launched Skoda Kushaq facelift. This SUV has already been unveiled in India and will be launched this month. Additionally, the deliveries of this SUV will also begin this month. The new Kushaq’s main highlight will be its redesigned exterior and slightly changed interior.
Meanwhile, in terms of the powertrain, it will come equipped with the same 1.0-litre TSI engine but with the new 8-speed AT gearbox. The 1.5-litre TSI engine will also be offered, but only with the 7-speed DSG gearbox.
The same 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo petrol engine which powers the Kushaq and the current Kylaq will also be getting the new 8-speed AT gearbox. The exact date of launch of the Kylaq 8-speed auto has not been announced. However, most likely it will be making its debut later this year.
In the coming few months, Skoda will also be launching the facelifted iteration of its popular sedan, the Slavia, in India. Like its siblings, the Skoda Slavia facelift will also be getting the same 1.0-litre TSI motor with the option of the 8-speed automatic gearbox. It will also get a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard, and the other engine option will be the 1.5-litre TSI with the 7-speed DSG gearbox.
Volkswagen is also gearing up for the launch of the Taigun facelift in India, and this time around, this SUV will be getting an updated exterior and interior design. Along with the cosmetic changes, it too will be getting the same 1.0-litre TSI engine with the 8-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. The rest of the powertrain options will remain the same as the new Kushaq facelift.
Along with the launch of the Taigun facelift, Volkswagen will also be launching the new Virtus facelift in India. Apart from aesthetic changes, the same 8-speed automatic gearbox will be offered with the Virtus 1.0-litre TSI as well.
Volkswagen has taken note of the success of the Skoda Kylaq in India and will soon be launching its sub-4m SUV in India. It could be based on the Tera, which was launched in Brazil. Most likely, it will be offered with the same 1.0-litre TSI engine as the Kylaq, so it will become the sixth and final car to get the 8-speed automatic gearbox. It could be making its official debut either later this year or by early next year