Volkswagen Trinity flagship delayed: report

VOLKSWAGEN is reportedly delaying the launch of its Trinity EV flagship until the end of 2032 – the advanced new model originally slated for launch in 2026 – as it works to better amortise existing electric vehicle platforms.

According to German outlet Handelsblatt, and citing Volkswagen sources, the German manufacturer will bring forward the launch of its all-electric Golf and extend the lifespan of MEB and PPE based models to plug the six-year gap.

The postponement is part of a reallocation of product launch investments by Volkswagen Group CEO Olive Blume that aims to reduce investment costs over the medium term.

The report indicates that the measures will not only see the Trinity project delayed, but also alter important EV milestones.

These include the upgrade of the MEB platform in 2026, a software upgrade to the PPE platform with partner Rivian in “the next 36 months”, and the introduction of the fully electric Golf “in 2029 or sooner”.

The latter point means the ID Golf will become the first Volkswagen brand car to use the new software-led Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) instead of the Trinity.

Handelsblatt further indicates that Volkswagen’s SSP architecture will underpin the next-generation and all-electric Audi A4, Volkswagen ID.4 successor, and Volkswagen T-Sport all-electric SUV before the Trinity arrives.

When it was announced in 2022, Trinity was billed as the Volkswagen “to take on Tesla”, setting new standards in range, charging speed, and self-driving capabilities.

At the time, information suggested Trinity would be offered in both single-motor, rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive configurations with a driving range of up to 700km and a 0-100km/h time of “less the 5.0 seconds”.

As well as being Level 4 autonomous driving ready, the Tesla Model 3 sized Trinity will also be capable of receiving over-the-air software updates and feature an advanced 800-volt powertrain system that offers higher performance and faster charging than its key American rival.

“Trinity is a sort of crystallisation point for VW’s Accelerate strategy, a lighthouse project, our software dream car,” said former Volkswagen Cars chief operating officer Ralf Brandstatter previously.

“The newly developed vehicle architecture will set standards in terms of range, charging speed (charging as fast as refuelling) and digitalisation.”