Does the Magotan have a manual transmission?
4 Answers
Magotan does not have a manual transmission, all models are equipped with automatic transmissions. A manual transmission car uses a manual gear-shifting mechanical transmission to adjust speed, requiring the driver to manually shift the gear lever to change the gear meshing position inside the transmission, altering the gear ratio to achieve speed variation. The gear lever can only be moved when the clutch is depressed. Taking the 2020 Magotan as an example, it belongs to the mid-size car category with a body size of 4865mm in length, 1832mm in width, and 1471mm in height, a wheelbase of 2871mm, a fuel tank capacity of 66 liters, and a curb weight of 1445kg. The 2020 Magotan is equipped with a 1.4L turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 150PS, a maximum power of 110kW, a maximum torque of 250Nm, and is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Recently, while helping a friend look for a car, I specifically researched the Magotan. This car now comes exclusively with automatic transmissions across the entire lineup—you won't even find a manual transmission option at any 4S dealership. Honestly, Volkswagen's approach makes perfect sense. For a mid-size sedan like the Magotan, targeting mostly office workers or family users, automatic transmissions are far more convenient, especially during rush-hour traffic when you don't have to constantly press the clutch with your left foot. I checked the Magotan models released in China over the past three years, and from the base trim to the top-tier version, they all uniformly use a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. That said, if we're talking about the nostalgia for manual transmissions, older Magotan models did offer manual variants—you could still buy them before the 2015 model year, but now they're only available in the used car market. For those truly passionate about the driving pleasure of a manual gearbox, it might be worth checking out compact cars like the Sagitar or Bora, which still retain manual transmission options.
As a seasoned manual transmission driver with ten years of experience, I test-drove almost every B-class sedan available in the domestic market when changing cars last year. The Magotan now indeed comes with automatic transmission across all trims, even the base model gets a 7-speed DSG gearbox. Actually, this is the norm for mainstream mid-size sedans - both Camry and Accord have largely phased out manual options. Manufacturers have their reasons: firstly, automatic transmissions better unleash the potential of 2.0T engines; secondly, today's complex urban traffic makes automatics significantly more comfortable. That said, if you truly miss mechanical engagement, I'd recommend trying hot hatches like Golf GTI or Focus ST - their manual transmissions offer purer driving dynamics than mid-size sedans. Maybe the next generation will bring some pleasant surprises.
If you're looking to buy a manual transmission Magotan, you might be disappointed. Currently, all Magotan models available for sale, from the base trim to the top trim, come exclusively with automatic transmissions, specifically dual-clutch transmissions. Volkswagen has been equipping its main models with this type of transmission in recent years, reportedly because it pairs better with the engine for improved fuel efficiency. I went through all the brochures at the showroom and couldn't find even a single manual transmission option. If you're really set on driving a manual transmission B-segment sedan, the situation with the Passat is pretty much the same. However, you can still find manual transmission Magotans from a decade ago in the used car market, as MT versions were indeed available back then. Nowadays, younger drivers who prefer new cars have also grown accustomed to automatic transmissions.
