There’s been a lot of talk about a new electric Golf over the last few years, potentially even as a replacement for the combustion version. Volkswagen is no longer talking about it as a replacement, instead saying an electric and a gas Golf will coexist, with the latter recently becoming a hybrid and the former being delayed. The delay was reportedly due to budget constraints that would come under too much additional pressure if EV-building upgrades to the Wolfsburg plant were to go ahead. But now Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer has said the electric Golf is not necessary now, next year, or even in 2028.
VW Boss: No Need for Electric Golf With Current Lineup
Volkswagen
According to Autocar, Schäfer said at the FT’s Future Car of the Car event in London, “We have a fantastic lineup now that we do not need an electric Golf in 2028. We are well set with what we have in our portfolio with our vehicles.” Turning the Golf electric is a double-edged sword for VW. On the one hand, it’s an iconic, instantly recognizable, and globally loved nameplate that could help increase interest in EVs. On the other hand, that exact reputation could be smeared if the electric Golf does not meet expectations (yes, VW did produce an e-Golf in the past, but that was when competition in the compact segment was not as intense as it is today, and while that e-Golf was decent as an addition to the Golf menu, other automakers have since made compact EVs that are brilliant). Fortunately, Volkswagen does not see the need to take that route just yet.
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Along with the ID.4 and ID. Buzz, for example, Volkswagen will be expanding its EV lineup this year with cars including the ID. Polo, the ID.3 Neo, and the ID. Cross, with others like the ID. Tiguan expected to join later. Schäfer’s comments not only indicate that an electric Golf is unnecessary right now, but also that it is inevitable. Perhaps VW is worried that an ID. Golf would be too popular, taking some of the limelight off the likes of the ID. Polo. Another reason could be that the Scalable Systems Platform architecture atop which the Golf EV will sit still needs more work, hinted Schäfer.
VW’s Next-Gen Golf EV Should Be Worth the Wait
Volkswagen
The SSP system will be an 800-volt setup with more advanced battery technology and, after VW’s attempt at in-house software development with the Cariad division fell apart, a new software architecture developed alongside Rivian, which VW is now the biggest shareholder in. However, the Golf won’t be the first product we see from these efforts, with Audi and Porsche getting first dibs, according to Schäfer. “SSP, we will roll it out across the brands. We will start with the premium brands first,” he said, adding, “It will start with Audi, then Porsche, then us [Volkswagen] and on and on.” With “increased competition” from Chinese EV brands, VW needs to find ways to make cars more affordably, and sharing costs with other automakers in the VW Group is just one of the methods VW has to employ.
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