The ninth-generation Volkswagen Golf will supply an electrical powertrain when it arrives round 2027 or 2028, however this doesn’t spell the top of the equally sized ID.3 EV.
The model is committing to providing each legacy nameplates like Golf and its new ID nomenclature, even because it plans to stop European manufacturing of combustion-powered automobiles by 2033.
The subsequent Golf may share its new SSP structure with a next-generation ID.3.
“There’s a reference to VW and ID, and there’s no have to cancel [ID],” Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles CEO Thomas Schafer instructed Autocar.
“We now have iconic model names, Golf and GTI. It will be loopy to allow them to die and slip away. We’ll persist with the ID logic however iconic fashions will carry a reputation.”
He instructed an electrical Golf may put on the ID. Golf nameplate, arguing the ID. prefix is well-known by patrons and related to EVs.
He additionally stated the Golf and ID.3 had been thought of separate automobiles in dimension and positioning, and that there was room for each – even when simply 22mm separates the present Golf hatch and ID.3 in size.
“The ID 3 has by no means been a successor to the Golf, it’s extra a Golf Plus,” Mr Schafer added.
Whereas which will appear to be a throwaway comment, Volkswagen has the truth is bought a car referred to as the Golf Plus earlier than, a taller Mk5 Golf-based hatchback provided from 2004 to 2014 that slotted in underneath the Touran compact MPV. It was changed in 2014 by the Golf Sportsvan, bought till 2020.
It’s unclear how Volkswagen would distinguish an electrical Mk9 Golf from its ID.3, although a extra sensible physique for one in every of them – if maybe not fairly as upright because the defunct Golf Plus – may very well be one risk.
Volkswagen has already provided an electrical Golf earlier than, in the course of the earlier Mk7 era. Badged the e-Golf, it was bought in markets like North America, China and Europe.
Manufacturing led to late 2020 as Volkswagen accomplished its transition to the present Mk8.
Mr Schafer’s remarks signifies there’s room within the Volkswagen line-up for acquainted nameplates and new ID. fashions.
The model is within the midst of rolling out a variety of ID-badged automobiles, which overlap with present combustion-powered fashions in dimension.
It goals to have 10 new fashions by 2026.
Apart from the Golf-sized ID.3, there’s the Tiguan-sized ID.4 and the Multivan-sized ID. Buzz.
An ID.3-based crossover is coming that can seemingly be near the T-Roc in dimension, whereas two entry-level EVs are anticipated to align with the Polo and T-Cross in dimension.
A brand new sedan known as the ID. Aero can be coming, although it’s anticipated to be bigger than the defunct Passat sedan.
Some combustion nameplates could face the axe, with Mr Schafer noting the model will deal with core fashions and simplify its product vary over the following 10 years. That casts doubt on the way forward for fashions just like the Arteon.
By 2030, Volkswagen expects EVs to account for 70 per cent of the model’s gross sales in Europe.
Whereas Volkswagen already has a number of electrical automobiles in Europe, none have made the journey to Australia but. That can change in late 2023 when the ID.4 and ID.5 electrical crossovers contact down regionally.
The facelifted ID.3, set for a European launch in 2023, can be set to return to Australia.
MORE: What electrical automobiles does Volkswagen have coming?MORE: All the things Volkswagen ID.3MORE: All the things Volkswagen Golf
