VW Golf Hybrid
Volkswagen’s latest decision shows how the Wolfsburg-based group is shifting its investments towards lowering the cost of electric vehicles.
(Photo: dpa)
Volkswagen wants to phase out its Golf series with the current model as a combustion engine. “If the world develops completely differently than expected by 2026 or 2027, then we can also launch a completely new vehicle. I do not believe that. So far, this has not been planned,” said brand boss Thomas Schäfer in an interview with “Automobilwoche” published on Sunday.
The current Golf 8 will be fundamentally revised again next year. “So he is well positioned until the end of the decade. Then we’ll have to see how the segment develops.” For decades, the Golf was Europe’s best-selling car.
The name Golf should therefore be retained. “It is clear that we will not give up iconic names such as Golf, Tiguan and GTI, but will transfer them to the electric world,” Schäfer continued. “But especially in golf, it has to fit the genes. Simply naming any vehicle that way is not possible. We won’t make that mistake.” There will only be an electric Golf “if it really has Golf genes in it – such as a flatter roof compared to the ID.3.” That will be with the new SSP platform from 2028 at the earliest.
Volkswagen’s latest decision shows how the Wolfsburg-based group is shifting its investments towards lowering the cost of electric vehicles. VW is expected to launch ten new electric car models by 2026. Among them should also be a small electric car, the ID.2all for less than 25,000 euros. Before the end of the decade, VW is also planning an e-model for less than 20,000 euros, which could be called ID.1, as Schäfer told “Automobilwoche” two weeks ago.
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First publication: 04/03/2023, 07:02.