VW invested $5.8 billion in Rivian partnership to co-develop electric architecture for future models.
Next-gen Golf EV launches in 2029, built on VW’s SSP platform with 800-volt technology.
Golf production shifts to Germany, while current Mk8 Golf manufacturing moves to Mexico.
Volkswagen‘s next-generation Golf, planned for a 2029 debut, will be built on a new electric architecture co-developed with Rivian. The German automaker has committed $5.8 billion to the partnership, hoping to simplify vehicle electronics by reducing the number of control units.
The upcoming Golf EV will be underpinned by VW’s Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), an 800-volt system designed to improve efficiency and charging speeds. The model will also incorporate a new cell-to-pack battery design.
Rivian and Volkswagen Announce $5.8 Billion Joint Venture to Advance EV Platforms
VW’s collaboration with Rivian will introduce a zonal architecture, enabling greater flexibility across different vehicle segments. The system uses a modular approach, allowing lower-cost models like the upcoming ID.1 to have fewer zones while premium vehicles, including the Golf EV, can incorporate more advanced configurations.
“Vehicles in lower price segments will just need one zone, while a premium vehicle might need three or four, depending on functions,” said VW technical chief Kai Grünitz. He noted that the architecture’s flexibility allows VW to tailor software and processing power according to model requirements.
VW will manufacture the new Golf EV at its Wolfsburg plant in Germany, reinforcing the factory’s role in producing the brand’s key models. Meanwhile, production of the internal combustion Mk8 Golf will shift to Puebla, Mexico.
The next-generation Golf EV will be sold alongside the current Mk8 Golf.
Source: Carscoops
