The new manual gearbox design from Volkswagen can handle far greater engine torque than before and it particularly improves performance of large vehicles like SUVs.
Most carmakers have moved on to automatic transmissions in their vehicles these days and manual transmissions are gradually losing a foot on the market. Yes, automatic gearboxes are very convenient and while development continues on automatic gearboxes, manual gearboxes remain one of the less updated parts of a modern car. Now, Volkswagen has developed an all-new manual gearbox for use in its cars.
Manual gearboxes have only received minor revisions over time to increase efficiency, but nothing significant. This next-generation manual gearbox design from Volkswagen which has been code named MQ281 is designed to increase fuel efficiency as well as performance of the car.
This new gearbox from Volkswagen – the MQ281 – is capable of handling engine torque ranging from 200Nm to 340Nm. The current range of Volkswagen’s manual gearbox designs – the MQ250 and MQ350 – are capable of handling much lesser engine torque. Volkswagen claims that the new gearbox should improve performance, especially for heavy vehicles like large SUVs with larger wheels.
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The new gearbox design should also aid fuel efficiency by allowing the car to cruise at higher speeds at a higher gear but with low engine speed, still not compromising on overtaking ability. Volkswagen also claims that this next-gen manual transmission saves up to five grams of CO2 per kilometre depending on the engine-gearbox combination.
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The MQ281 manual gearbox will be produced by Volkswagen themselves at their European facilities including in Barcelona, Spain and Cordoba, Argentina. The first car that will see the use of this gearbox is the new Passat that was revealed at the Detroit Auto Show and is set to launch internationally in August 2019. Many other cars, particularly SUVs from Volkswagen will see the application of this gearbox in the future. This new gearbox from Volkswagen will come to India if and when the new Passat comes here to India.
