2028 Mk9 Volkswagen Golf to use advanced Rivian software

The new software system being developed by the Rivian-Volkswagen joint venture is termed a zonal architecture, with all the software systems consolidated onto a handful of electronic control units, rather than all running on numerous separate control units, as is the case with current vehicles. Grünitz said that will enable Volkswagen to offer different levels of functions in different types of vehicles using the same software system.

“The benefit of the zonal architecture is that I can put one, two or three zones in a vehicle,” said Grünitz. “Vehicles in lower price segments will just need one zone, while a premium vehicle might need three or four, depending on functions.

"I can use a dedicated system-on-chip [SoC] family for each model. So for the ID 1, I can use an SoC with a lower price point and complexity, but if I take the same architecture over to the Golf, I can use a different SoC that costs more money but gives additional functions. But it's still the same software.

"The benefit of this new software and architecture is that it's highly flexible and highly updatable. We see it already on the road with Rivian today [which offers regular over-the-air updates and new functions]. I can offer new functions to customers even after they have bought their car without touching them. So this is really the next step."

As previously reported by Autocar, the switch to the new SSP platform will mean the ID Golf uses an 800V electrical architecture, offering substantially faster charging times and greater efficiency than current ID EVs.

It will also offer more autonomous driving functions and gain GTI and R sports variants.

The ID Golf will also be one of the first EVs to use Volkswagen's new unified battery cells, which have been designed to be fitted to around 80% of the Volkswagen Group's future models and can be used to house a range of different battery chemistries and technologies.

The cells allow for a cell-to-pack design, which allows more cells to be fitted into the same space, allowing for greater capacity and efficiency. Switching to a unifed cell design – which the Volkswagen Group will produce itself – will also boost economies of scale.

Volkswagen has yet to confirm further details of the ID Golf, but design chief Andreas Mindt did confirm to Autocar that his team is working on the model.

“I was involved in the design of the Golf Mk6 and Mk7, and right now I’m deep into the story of the Golf,” he said. “I see a lot of chances for a future and a lot of good things that can happen to it.

"The Golf is a special thing within Volkswagen, and you have to stay true to the Golf. It’s a brand on its own, but you can play with this. There’s so much nice content you can use – but I cannot say more now.”

The ID Every1 concept and the ID 2All concept, which will arrive in production form next year, both showcase a new design language that draws deeply on Volkswagen's long heritage. As a result, it's likely that the ID Golf will retain many of the key styling features of the existing version.

ICE Golf production to continue - in Mexico

The new ID Golf will be manufactured alongside a closely related SSP-baed model at Volkswagen's main factory in Wolfsburg.

As part of a major cost-reduction plan that will involve significant job cuts, the Volkswagen Group is revamping much of its production plans in Germany. That will include production of the existing ICE Mk8 Golf moving from Wolfsburg to the company's plant in Puebla, Mexico.

Even if it will be replaced by a new electric Golf, that will mark a significant transition, because ICE Golfs have been produced in Wolfsburg since the original model arrived in 1974.

Notably, Volkswagen has hinted that the sale of existing ICE and hybrid models could be extended for as long as there is customer demand.

The Golf's predecessor, the Beetle, was also produced in Mexico, with the final version coming off production lines there in 2003, nearly 30 years after production at Wolfsburg was discontinued.

Puebla currently builds the Jetta saloon, Tiguan LWB SUV and Taos SUV models.