Volkswagen’s Most Important Model Facing Huge Delays

The all-electric Volkswagen ID. Golf, due to arrive in 2027, has reportedly been delayed by 15 months, according to a new report from Germany. Manager Magazin claims the compact electric – along with several other models – will debut later than planned due to software-related issues. As such, the ID. Golf and T-Sport SUV will be revealed later, with the former arriving in 2029 and the latter in 2031.

Volkswagen has yet to make an announcement on the matter, but the report notes that the Group Board of Management postponed models based on the Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) earlier this month. The automaker has long suffered from software issues, with its Cariad software division even getting a new CEO last year in an attempt to straighten out any kinks.

Not The First Time Cariad Has Hit A Bump In The Road

These aren’t the first VW Group cars to be delayed due to Cariad delays. The Audi Q6 e-tron and Porsche Macan EV were both due to arrive in 2023, but they were both delayed by several months, and the duo was revealed this year. Audi’s range-topping Artemis EV has also been put on hold and is expected to debut in 2027. As a result, the existing A8 is rumored to stick around until then.

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As a result, Volkswagen will have to continue using the existing MEB platform. However, to keep the current crop of EV models fresh, the MEB architecture will be updated to become the MEB+ platform. The first vehicles underpinned by the architecture will arrive in 2026, three years ahead of the ID. Golf. The costs related to updating the MEB+ platform mean VW will need to keep it running for longer to justify the expenditure. This is another reason the SSP platform could be delayed.

New Partnership With Rivian Could Change Things For The Better

Recently, Volkswagen announced a joint venture with Rivian, allowing the German giant to take advantage of Rivian’s software prowess. While this would solve numerous issues, the duo will only start working together in the second half of the decade, which means Cariad will have to sort this latest issue out by itself. CarBuzz has contacted Volkswagen for additional information and will update the article once we receive a reply.

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As a reminder, the Volkswagen ID. Golf will be the all-electric successor of the current Mk8. Even though the iconic hatchback will become battery-powered, the nameplate will live on. Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, said in 2022, “It would be crazy to let them die and slip away. There is a connection with VW and ID, and there is no need to cancel [ID]. We will stick with the ID logic, but iconic models will carry a name.” We expect the ID. 2all and ID. GTI concepts will inform the styling of the forthcoming ID. Golf. Unfortunately, VW fans must wait an extra 15 months to see the final product.

Source:
Manager Magazin