Is the Tharu equipped with a dry or wet clutch?
4 Answers
The Tharu is available with both dry and wet clutches. It comes with two engine options: a 1.4T and a 2.0T. The 1.4T engine is paired with a 7-speed dry dual-clutch transmission (coded DQ200), while the 2.0T engine is equipped with a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (coded DQ381). The Tharu measures 4453 mm in length, 1841 mm in width, and 1632 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2680 mm. Its exterior design follows the "Rock-Cutting" concept, featuring pronounced power lines on the ridge-like hood, wide-body dual U-shaped full LED headlights that tilt upwards, and grille bars that extend into the headlights.
I drive a Tharu 1.4T model, which indeed uses a dry dual-clutch transmission. I was initially concerned about cooling issues when I first bought the car, but after three years of driving, I've found it perfectly adequate for daily commuting. In heavy traffic, I switch to manual mode to reduce gear shifts and avoid frequent low-speed starts and stops. I've heard that the 2.0T model comes with a wet dual-clutch transmission, which is more suitable for owners who frequently drive on mountain roads or tow trailers. The advantage of the dry type is faster gear shifts and better fuel efficiency, but prolonged aggressive driving may cause overheating. It's recommended to choose the configuration based on your driving habits.
After ten years of repairing cars, I've seen many Touareg transmissions and noticed that the new 1.5T models mostly use wet clutches. Wet clutches are immersed in transmission fluid, offering better heat dissipation and longer lifespan, making them ideal for owners who love road trips. Dry clutches have a simpler structure and cheaper maintenance, but they are prone to issues in hot and humid southern regions. Once, while helping a customer replace clutch plates, I found that he often liked to half-press the throttle while following other cars, causing excessive wear on the friction plates. Regardless of the type, timely transmission fluid changes are the most crucial.
My friend just picked up a Tharu last month and specifically asked the salesperson. Currently, the 1.4T older models mostly come with dry clutches, while the 1.5T newer models are mostly equipped with wet clutches. Wet clutches can handle greater torque, making them less prone to slipping when fully loaded, running the AC, or climbing hills. The biggest advantage of dry clutches is fuel efficiency, saving about 0.5 liters per 100 km in city commuting. It's recommended to pay attention to low-speed jerkiness during a test drive—wet clutches are indeed smoother in traffic jams, but they also cost around 5,000 yuan more.
