Return of VW e-Golf attainable after EV flagship delay

A delay for Volkswagen’s Challenge Trinity EV flagship might imply a return of the VW e-Golf, based on a current from German newspaper Handelsblatt (Automotive Information Europe).

Manufacturing of the e-Golf, which shared a platform with gasoline and diesel variations of the compact hatchback, led to December 2020 to make room for ID-family fashions based mostly on VW’s MEB devoted EV platform. However VW is now contemplating a brand new Golf EV, in addition to an electrical model of the Tiguan crossover, whereas anticipating Challenge Trinity to be delayed till 2030, based on the report.

The brand new electrical Golf or Tiguan would use the MEB platform, and will go on sale earlier than 2026, the report mentioned. Manufacturing can be dealt with by VW’s Wolfsburg, Germany, manufacturing unit. VW had initially deliberate a $2.06 billion addition to the location for the Challenge Trinity EV, however the timeline for that mannequin’s launch is now being reassessed by VW CEO Oliver Blume, the report famous.

VW first began teasing its Challenge Trinity flagship earlier in 2021, and it mentioned it was due in 2026. It mentioned that know-how and platform had been on the middle of the brand new challenge, and it was being developed from the within out. Earlier CEO Herbert Diess additionally mentioned that the challenge would rival (and outdo) Tesla, though Diess had made variations of such claims since 2017, declaring “something Tesla can do, we are able to surpass.”

Blume, who changed Diess as CEO in September, appears to be taking a extra cautious strategy. He needs to push the launch of Challenge Trinity again towards the tip of the last decade as a result of sure software program will not be prepared in time for the unique 2026 goal date, based on the report.

If that occurs, the hole in product launches may very well be stuffed by an EV extra according to the affordability angle VW has emphasised with its ID fashions.

Within the U.S., the e-Golf was a well-regarded mannequin when it launched in late 2014 and served as a stage-setter for the ID.4 crossover. VW simply marked the worldwide supply of 500,000 of its ID EVs, regardless of provide points.

In reconstituted type, an e-Golf would virtually definitely supply extra vary—simply because the Fiat 500e that automaker just lately confirmed is coming again to the U.S. That will surely be attainable with the MEB platform, which allows a spread of as much as 275 miles for the ID.4, in comparison with 125 miles for the previous e-Golf.