The twin-clutch automated transmission’s rarity at VW simply elevated.
On the reveal of the 2025 Taos on Thursday in Orlando, Florida, Volkswagen instructed Motor Authority its DSG dual-clutch automated transmission is now lifeless within the U.S. apart from some efficiency car purposes.
The 2024 Taos subcompact crossover SUV was the final mainstream holdout to supply the automaker’s DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox), the place it was paired with the all-wheel-drive mannequin. Entrance-wheel drive fashions had already moved on to a standard 8-speed automated transmission with a torque converter. The refreshed 2025 Taos drops the dual-clutch transmission fully, and all fashions now sport the 8-speed automated.
“It was a take a look at within the Taos. When you have got a hatchback and also you want an SUV, you might be transferring out of your GTI. It was a query whether or not mass-market adopters transferring from a smaller car like a GTI would discover that good, and we listened to buyer suggestions,” VW product supervisor Melinda Godec instructed MA.
2025 Volkswagen Taos
Godec mentioned the Taos is a conquest car that grabs market share and patrons from rivals. These competitor vehicles do not have dual-clutch automated transmissions, and the DSG did not meet their driving expectations. The difficulty stemmed from smoothness of shifts and transmission engagement off the road. With the DSG, there is a lag because the clutches interact when transferring ahead from a cease.
“We have to meet them (the shopper) the place they’re and never anticipate modified habits,” Godec mentioned.
The final automobiles to hold on with VW’s DSG are the Jetta GLI sport sedan and the Golf GTI and Golf R scorching hatches.
Godec mentioned that Volkswagen is seeing gross sales quantity enhance due to U.S.-specific construct configurations for shopper preferences.
Volkswagen launched the DSG within the 2003 Mk IV Golf R32 scorching hatch, however the transmission did not come to the U.S. till 2007 with the Mk V R32.
