The VW AQ160 6-speed automatic transmission has been produced at the concern’s plant since 2009 and is installed on models equipped with a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated CFNA and CWVA engine. This gearbox is an updated and simplified version of the AQ250, that is, a clone of the Aisin TF‑60SN.
AQ-6 family: AQ160, AQ250, AQ260, AQ400, AQ450.
Specifications
| Production years | since 2009 |
| Type | automatic transmission |
| Number of gears | 6 |
| Type of drive | front |
| Engine volume, l | up to 1.6 |
| Torque output, Nm | up to 160 |
| Recommended oil | G 052 025 A2 |
| Oil capacity, liter | 7.0 |
| Replacing the oil | every 60,000 km |
| Replacing the filter | every 60,000 km |
| Gearbox lifespan, km | ~250 000 |
| Weight, kg | 80 |
Gear ratios Volkswagen AQ160
Using the example of a Volkswagen Polo Sedan 2012 with a 1.6 MPI engine:
| Main | 3.867 |
| 1st | 4.670 |
| 2nd | 2.530 |
| 3rd | 1.560 |
| 4th | 1.130 |
| 5th | 0.860 |
| 6th | 0.690 |
| Reverse | 3.390 |
The transmission was installed on:
- Skoda Karoq 1 (NU) since 2019;
- Skoda Octavia 3 (5E) in 2014 – 2020; Octavia 4 (NX) since 2020;
- Skoda Rapid 1 (NH) in 2012 – 2020; Rapid 2 (NK) since 2019;
- Skoda Yeti 1 (5L) in 2014 – 2018;
- Volkswagen Golf 7 (5G) in 2014 – 2017;
- Volkswagen Jetta 6 (1B) in 2010 – 2019; Jetta 7 (BU) since 2020;
- Volkswagen Polo Sedan 1 (6C) in 2010 – 2020;
- Volkswagen Polo Liftback 1 (CK) since 2020;
- Volkswagen Taos 1 (CP) since 2021.
Disadvantages of the VW AQ160 gearbox
- This automatic transmission is installed with low-power motors and has a large safety margin.
- The main thing here is to monitor the condition of the cooling system and update the oil more often.
- When the oil is changed infrequently, the valve body becomes clogged with wear products and shocks appear.
- If you miss the wear of the torque converter clutch, the vibrations will break the oil pump bushing.
- The weak points of this gearbox include the short-lived planetary gear washers.
