Volkswagen Shifts Plans: ID. Touareg to Debut Groundbreaking SSP Platform, Not ID. Golf
WOLFSBURG, GERMANY – In a surprising shift, Volkswagen has announced the future all-electric ID. Touareg SUV will be the frist model to launch on its highly anticipated Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), rather than the previously expected ID. Golf. The decision, reported by Automobilwoche, marks a meaningful moment for the German automaker as it transitions towards a fully electric future.
the SSP platform is designed to underpin a new generation of 100% electric Volkswagen vehicles, representing a basic architectural change for the company. Originally slated for debut with the ID. Golf, the rollout has been delayed, with Volkswagen now targeting the end of the decade for full implementation of the SSP across its entire lineup.
According to Automobilwoche, sources close to Volkswagen’s internal development confirm the ID. touareg will be the vanguard, arriving with the new platform in 2029. this timing coincides with the planned phase-out of the current Touareg model, deemed too costly to adapt to upcoming Euro 7 emissions standards.
“Thay would already be finalizing the useful life of the current Touareg,” the report states, “because the necessary efforts to make it comply with the euro 7 would be excessive and very difficult to make profitable.”
The SSP platform will feature an 800-volt architecture, promising substantially faster charging capabilities and improved performance compared to Volkswagen’s current MEB platform. This advancement is expected to be a key differentiator for future electric models.
Despite the delay, Volkswagen has a robust pipeline of upcoming electric vehicles. The ID. Polo is slated for release in 2026, followed by the ID. Cross later that year.In 2027, the ID.1 will debut alongside updates to the ID.3 and ID.4.
Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer recently confirmed the SSP platform’s adaptability, stating it could also accommodate vehicles with range-extending combustion engines, acknowledging potential demand for such options in Europe.
The ID.Touareg’s selection as the SSP launch vehicle underscores Volkswagen’s commitment to establishing a strong presence in the premium electric SUV segment while simultaneously laying the groundwork for a fully electrified future.
