Delays with Volkswagen’s upcoming Scalable Methods Platform (SSP) and its electrical structure will imply the next-generation Golf will reportedly launch later than anticipated.
In line with German publication Supervisor Magazin, the market launch of the upcoming all-electric ID. Golf – as it could be referred to as – has been postponed by 15 months to 2029.
A big electrical SUV on the SSP platform referred to as the T-Sport has reportedly been delayed even additional, to 2031 – three years later than initially deliberate.
Whereas the delay reportedly applies principally to Volkswagen fashions, it could additionally have an effect on some Audi autos.
That would imply all mass-production fashions constructed on the SSP structure gained’t hit the market till at the least 2029.
Supervisor Magazin reviews the choice to postpone the launch of the SSP was made on July 2 – only one month after Volkswagen Passenger Automobiles CEO Thomas Schäfer confirmed it might launch in 2028.
It’s not but clear if all the structure will probably be delayed or simply variants of it for particular person segments.
It’s been reported beforehand the SSP will change into the standardised EV platform for quite a few Volkswagen Group fashions in a variety of sizes and functions.
Volkswagen hasn’t confirmed the postponement, not to mention the rationale for it, nonetheless software program points have reportedly been blamed.
It’s not the primary time the Group has struggled with such points both, with its in-house software program division Cariad already having been blamed for delays with latest product launches just like the Audi Q6 e-tron. Final yr, it was reported 2000 job cuts have been deliberate on the troubled division.
SSP autos are set to utilise the E3 2.0 structure developed by Cariad, however Supervisor Magazin reviews its arrival is delayed.
This could reportedly imply fashions must be launched available on the market at very tight intervals and Volkswagen believes such a timeframe wouldn’t work, as a number of fashions may very well be hit with varied launch delays.
The E3 2.0 software program was initially supposed to be developed in-house by Cariad, although Volkswagen lately introduced an settlement with US startup Rivian which can have altered its plans.
As a part of the settlement, the 2 firms will collectively develop a next-generation electrical/digital structure for EVs.
It was reported on the time that the SSP would use an “Tailored E/E Structure” from the top of the last decade, earlier than switching to the Volkswagen-Rivian structure within the early 2030s. It’s not but identified what the Tailored E/E Structure will entail.
To maintain its present EVs up-to-date till the launch of the SSP structure, Volkswagen is reportedly growing its present MEB platform into the MEB+ platform. The primary automobiles to utilise the up to date MEB+ structure are set to launch in 2026.
Present fashions constructed on the MEB platform embrace Volkswagen’s ID. vary (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Buzz), Skoda Enyaq, Audi This fall e-tron and Cupra Born. It’s additionally utilized by Ford for the Capri and Explorer.
Supervisor Magazin reviews there have been requires the lifespan of the incoming MEB+ platform to be prolonged, which might justify the required funding to get it up and working.
The upcoming electrical Golf gained’t be the primary model of the traditional nameplate to function battery energy.
Volkswagen beforehand supplied the e-Golf, based mostly on the petrol Mk7 mannequin. It went out of manufacturing in 2020.
The present Golf entered manufacturing in 2019, with a facelifted mannequin revealed this yr. If the Mk9 doesn’t arrive till 2029, this will probably be among the many longest lifecycles of any Golf era.
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