What is the transmission of the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan?
2 Answers
2015 Volkswagen Tiguan is equipped with the Aisin tiptronic 6-speed automatic transmission. Aisin (Aisin Seiki) is a Japanese company specializing in automatic transmissions, established in 1969. It is a joint venture between Aisin and BorgWarner and a subsidiary of Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. The Toyota Group holds a 22.2% stake in Aisin Seiki. The Shanghai Volkswagen Tiguan does not feature the mainstream DSG dual-clutch transmission used by the Volkswagen Group but instead utilizes the mature 6-speed automatic transmission (AQ250) produced by Aisin. In terms of power, Shanghai Volkswagen initially launched the Tiguan with 1.8T and 2.0T engines, both paired with Aisin's 6-speed automatic transmission (AQ250). Other automotive websites report that the Tiguan is equipped with two engines (1.8TSI and 2.0TSI), matched with either a 6-speed manual or Tiptronic 6-speed automatic transmission. The Shanghai Volkswagen Tiguan Silk Road version, however, uses a dual-clutch transmission.
The dual-clutch transmission in the 2015 Tiguan was particularly interesting. When I test drove it back then, I could clearly feel the lightning-fast gear shifts. The standard 1.4T version came with a seven-speed dry dual-clutch transmission, model named DQ200, which was indeed fuel-efficient for city commuting, but prone to overheating during frequent gear changes in traffic jams. The 1.8T and 2.0T versions were equipped with the six-speed wet-type DQ250, which was more durable and could handle higher torque. The most notable driving characteristic was the direct power delivery, though occasional jerks could occur at low speeds, especially during shifts between second and third gears. Later, many owners reported issues with the mechatronic unit, but regular transmission software updates could help mitigate these problems. I remember a friend's car suddenly losing power once, and it was resolved only after replacing the clutch plates – this type of transmission requires special attention to fluid conditions during maintenance.