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

1. New 8-speed AT to replace current 6-speed AT globally
2. New gearbox will be important to meet CAFÉ III norms

Skoda looking to localise new 8-speed AT gearbox

The current-gen 6-speed torque converter gearbox that does duty in the Kushaq, Slavia, Taigun and Virtus is also an Aisin-sourced unit, but it’s not locally produced here. Skoda, which leads the development of the India 2.0 cars, is now looking to localise 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, which 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.

Petr Janeba, brand director, Skoda India, in a recent interaction with Autocar India, said, “Once we find the scale with the next-generation gearbox, we are inviting everybody (other automakers) to join the party to get it done here in India for the Indian customer.”

Apart from India, Aisin will also be producing this gearbox in Brazil. With demand for automatic gearboxes increasing, the additional volume from India will bring in the benefits of economies of scale, which will allow Aisin to produce the gearbox more cost effectively.

New gearbox will help meet upcoming CAFÉ III norms

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 standardised drive cycles, this can reduce the load on the engine and improve overall fuel efficiency and reduce CO2.

There’s no clarity yet on the exact timeline when this new gearbox could make it to the India 2.0 cars, but it’s unlikely to come in time for their facelifts. Therefore, the new 8-speed AT can be expected by 2026, at the earliest.

WITH INPUTS FROM HORMAZD SORABJEE