What transmission does the Sagitar use?
4 Answers
The Sagitar is equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission and a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The transmission is a mechanism used to alter the speed and torque from the engine, capable of fixing or changing the gear ratio between the output and input shafts. Taking the 2021 Sagitar Manual Fashion Smart Connect Edition as an example, it belongs to the compact car category, with body dimensions of: length 4753mm, width 1800mm, height 1462mm, and a wheelbase of 2731mm. The 2021 Sagitar Manual Fashion Smart Connect Edition is powered by a 1.2L turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 116ps and a maximum torque of 175nm.
I'm an owner of the new Sagitar, which currently uses Volkswagen's in-house developed 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (model DQ200). This dry dual-clutch shifts particularly fast when driving, and it downshifts decisively when you step on the gas. However, I should mention that the older Sagitar had a 1.6L naturally aspirated version paired with a 6AT, which can still be found in the used car market. Manual transmission enthusiasts are in luck—the manual version of the Sagitar uses a 5MT gearbox, with crisp shifts and low failure rates. During heavy traffic, I often switch to manual mode to reduce clutch wear. I recommend new owners check the transmission fluid condition during the first maintenance—a well-maintained dual-clutch can easily last over 100,000 miles. Overall, the Sagitar with this transmission is quite fuel-efficient, often achieving around 6L per 100km.
Having worked in an auto repair shop for over a decade, I've disassembled many Sagitar transmissions. The current main configuration is the EA211 engine paired with the DQ200 7-speed dry dual-clutch transmission, where jerking in low RPM ranges is a common issue, especially after 30,000 kilometers when the clutch plate clearance increases. Several owners have reported gearshift noises, mostly due to sticking solenoid valves in the mechatronic unit. The earlier 1.4T models with the DQ250 6-speed wet dual-clutch transmission were more reliable. During repairs, I've found many faults were caused by water ingress leading to control module short circuits. It's recommended to perform transmission adaptive learning every 40,000 kilometers and check the flywheel plate wear condition, as damage to this component can affect the transmission. Using genuine transmission fluid for maintenance is crucial.
Just helped a friend pick out a used Sagitar, and thoroughly researched its transmission configurations. The current models all come with a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch for automatic transmissions, while the manual versions use a 5-speed setup. Interestingly, before the 2015 facelift, some 1.6L models were equipped with an Aisin 6AT, which actually has the lowest failure rate. When selecting a car, pay attention to the model codes: DQ200 is a dry clutch used in 1.2T/1.4T models, while the wet clutch DQ381 is only paired with the 2.0T overseas version. The advantage of DSG in daily driving is its fast shifting, but in stop-and-go traffic, it's recommended to switch to S mode to protect the clutch plates. The most surprising discovery was that some performance enthusiasts modify manual Sagitars with close-ratio transmissions, allowing for quick downshifts without hesitation when tackling mountain curves.
