Volkswagen plans to introduce a brand new EV, the ID.4 sedan, which is anticipated to enter manufacturing in 2026, and might be constructed on a brand new platform.
VW’s new Scalable Programs Platform (SSP) is a skateboard-style structure that Volkswagen Group Chairman Herbert Diess says will substitute the present Modularen Elektrik Baukasten (MEB) construction in addition to each the J1 and Premium Platform Electrical (PPE) platforms developed by Audi and Porsche.
Different VW manufacturers, together with Lamborghini, SEAT, Škoda and Worldwide Scout, may even use the brand new platform.
“The subsequent era of our {hardware} platforms will permit us to cut back complexity over time, as we are going to consolidate our current platform to at least one structure for your entire e-product portfolio, from entry-level to top-of-the-range, from 85 to 850 kW,” Diess stated.
The MEB platform utilized by VW’s current ID. fashions makes use of a 400 V structure, however the SSP will be capable of assist techniques at as much as 800 V. This can allow the brand new ID.4 sedan to supply a a lot greater charging capability than the ID.4 crossover’s present 135 kW.
Volkswagen can be instituting a brand new product improvement course of aimed toward bringing new EVs to market a lot sooner. “We’re lowering improvement time by 25%,” says Thomas Ulbrich, Volkswagen’s head of R&D. “Future initiatives might be accomplished in 40 months from the purpose at which the fundamental software program structure is in place, as a substitute of the 54 months we now have right now.”
On the heart of Volkswagen’s new improvement course of, which might be used on all upcoming ID. fashions, is a brand new upgradable software program structure referred to as VW.OS.
“The automobile is more and more changing into an electrically-driven software program product. Its improvement course of should additionally evolve, software program first fairly than {hardware} first,” says Ulbrich.
Supply: Wards Auto
