UAZ Patriot to get an 8-speed automatic transmission by 2028 — with extra torque capacity

Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant (UAZ) has confirmed it is working on reintroducing an automatic transmission for the Patriot off-roader. According to a report by Rossiyskaya Gazeta, UAZ CEO Ilnur Sakhabiev stated that engineers are currently developing an 8-speed automatic gearbox for the model. He expects the two-pedal version to appear in 2028.

The Patriot previously offered a six-speed automatic transmission — a French clone of General Motors' 6L50 unit. That option disappeared after 2022 when supplies were cut off. Sakhabiev admitted that the search for a suitable replacement took considerable time, and he prefers to be realistic about the new timeline.

A key requirement for the new gearbox is torque capacity. Patriot owners frequently modify their vehicles, installing turbochargers to significantly boost the output of the standard engine. Without a transmission that can handle increased torque, such upgrades would be pointless. The manufacturer has not yet disclosed the supplier or technical details of the new 8-speed unit.