Golf to become the first VW with Rivian technology

The new software joint venture between Rivian and Volkswagen is only a few weeks old. There are already signs that the joint venture will initially focus on the new electric Golf. The flagship Trinity project, on the other hand, will come later.

Images: Volkswagen, Rivian / Collage: electrive

This priority planning is based on statements by VW brand boss Thomas Schäfer, who is quoted in Automotive News as follows: “We decided on how to do the software-defined vehicle. It will happen with Rivian, the joint venture, where we put the new electric electronics architecture together. But we have also decided that we want to start this journey with a more iconic product. So we’ll start with the Golf.” However, it is important to note that models from Porsche and Audi will benefit from the joint venture from 2027- before VW. Exactly which ones remains to be seen.

The 50:50 joint venture founded earlier this month is called Rivian and VW Group Technology, LLC and is headed by Wassym Bensaid (Rivian) and Carsten Helbing (Volkswagen Group). For Volkswagen, the joint venture is a new attempt to catch up on its software backlog. Specifically, the partners aim to create an advanced technology platform for software-defined vehicles based on Rivian’s existing software and electrical architecture (original: ‘E/E architecture & vehicle software’). The partners now put the total volume of the deal at up to 5.8 billion US dollars (around 5.5 billion euros). Volkswagen is shouldering this investment alone.

Schäfer’s statements are a further indication of the priorities that Rivian and Volkswagen have negotiated. The market launch of Rivian’s R2 volume model is planned for the first half of 2026. As mentioned, the first Volkswagen models based on the jointly developed Rivian architecture will follow in 2027. The first models could be from VW’s North American brand Scout and an electric Porsche SUV. Until now, it was assumed that the MEB and the further development MEB+ would continue to be based on the E3 software from VW software subsidiary Cariad. That is now only partly true.

According to Automotive News, the new electric VW Golf is set to join the ranks of electric vehicles benefiting from Rivian-Tech in 2029. That is in line with German media reports, which wrote back in the summer that the launch of the all-electric successor to the VW Golf would be postponed by 15 months to 2029. Current rumours point to a market launch for the Trinity in 2032 at the earliest.

autonews.com (paywall) via insideevs.com