Rivian's technologies will gradually be incorporated into Volkswagen's electric vehicles. Initially, they will be utilized in Audi and Porsche models, and eventually, they will also make their way into Volkswagen's flagship model, known as Project Trinity.
Project Trinity has garnered significant attention as a potential savior for the brand at a time when Volkswagen has lost some of its appeal to consumers. However, the company has postponed the launch of Trinity in favor of other models, such as the new electric Golf and the current ID lineup. Now, the reason for this delay is becoming clearer.
It turns out that Volkswagen is taking its new partnership with Rivian very seriously, investing $5 billion into the joint venture. The flagship electric vehicle, Project Trinity, will use a new architecture developed in collaboration with Rivian.
While Project Trinity continues to be in development, its launch has been delayed. The vehicle is expected to feature advanced capabilities such as Level 4 autonomous driving. Part of the reason for the delay is Volkswagen's intention to roll out a more "iconic product" first—the electric version of the Golf. This will also allow the company to prepare a new architecture for a "software-defined vehicle," which they are developing alongside Rivian.
The electric Golf is slated for release in 2029, with Trinity debuting later. Initially, the flagship was expected to launch in 2026, but rumors now suggest that Trinity may not arrive until 2032.
However, don’t expect mass production for Trinity (or whatever Volkswagen decides to name it). The vehicle will be an exclusive product, much like the Phaeton, but powered by electricity instead of the W12 engine.
"We slightly shifted our priorities, not because Trinity isn’t important, but because it was never considered a mass-market vehicle," explained VW CEO Thomas Schafer.
It's also worth noting that the Golf will not be the first electric vehicle within the Volkswagen brand family to adopt Rivian's technologies. The new electric architecture will first be tested on Porsche and Audi models, expected to transition to it by 2027. This aligns with their strategy of introducing new technologies first in premium brands before moving to the mass market. However, over time, the architecture will be utilized across all VW brands, from budget compacts to luxury SUVs (and possibly even sports cars).
Regarding Project Trinity, it remains a benchmark for Volkswagen, despite some delays. If the vehicle proves to be impressive enough, it may rekindle mass market interest in the VW brand, even if produced in limited quantities. The key takeaway is that Volkswagen is building a solid technological foundation, and Trinity will play a crucial role in that process.
Source: insideevs
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