The VW and Rivian collaboration will spawn many electric cars from both brands in the coming years
The next-gen VW Golf EV will utilize the trick software architecture from Rivian. You must already be aware of the substantial $5.8 billion investment by Volkswagen into Rivian. As a part of this partnership, the German auto giant will gain access to Rivian’s electric architecture. It is a key component in the development of future EVs. As far as the new all-electric Golf is concerned, it is expected to launch in 2029.
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Next-Gen VW Golf EV Will Use Rivian’s Electric Architecture
The co-developed new electric architecture will spawn multiple upcoming models from both car companies. Rivian’s software architecture features a zonal architecture that consolidates complexity, reduces control units, and enables over-the-air updates. It will reduce the complexity of current VW systems by drastically reducing the number of control units needed.
As a matter of fact, the VW ID.1 will be the first EV to utilize this new architecture. As per the Technical Chief at VW, Kai Grünitz, starting with the ID.1 “reduces the risk for the Golf,” because the brand’s base EV will have less functionality than the Golf, allowing VW to iron out any kinks. Furthermore, the over-the-air updates will be key to this configuration.
Kai Grünitz told Autocar, “The benefit of the zonal architecture is that I can put one, two or three zones in a vehicle. Vehicles in lower price segments will just need one zone, while a premium vehicle might need three or four, depending on functions. I can use a dedicated system-on-chip [SoC] family for each model. So for the ID 1, I can use an SoC with a lower price point and complexity, but if I take the same architecture over to the Golf, I can use a different SoC that costs more money but gives additional functions. But it’s still the same software.”
Since the official launch is still too far away, the exact specifications are scarce. Nevertheless, the next-gen VW Golf will be underpinned by VW Group’s flexible SSP platform with the all-important 800-volt architecture. This should enable lightning fast DC charging speeds. Note that the new Golf will be manufactured in Wolfsburg, Germany. However, the current Mk8 Golf will now be produced in Puebla, Mexico.
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Learn Electric Cars Says
Now, VW is focusing on affordable EVs, which is why we recently saw it partially unveil the ID. Every1. On the other hand, the German auto giant also wants to carry its legacy into the electric future. We know that Golf is an iconic name in the history of Volkswagen. With its electric avatar, it is clear that VW wants to leverage its past to achieve a successful future. We shall have to wait a bit longer to see how things pan out.