Volkswagen is engaged on a brand new high-tech electrical flagship mannequin, known as Challenge Trinity, that will likely be constructed on a sophisticated bespoke platform at the moment underneath growth. The EV is described as “a extremely environment friendly flat-seat idea with an iconic design”.
- All new EV prone to get full self-driving capabilities
- VW to develop a brand new bespoke working system
What’s Challenge Trinity?
Proven underneath a canopy in a preview picture, it appears to be like prefer it takes design inspiration from the Volkswagen ID 3 across the entrance finish, with its wheels pushed out to the corners and a distinctively rising window line.
Particulars of the brand new platform are skinny on the bottom, however its ‘flat panel’ building ought to enable for enhanced flexibility and optimum cabin house.
Volkswagen will use the brand new platform to pioneer a “radically new manufacturing strategy” that may search to display new methods of constructing EVs economically and effectively in varied areas.
The model has already confirmed that its Wolfsburg base in Germany will change into “the pioneering manufacturing facility for the extremely automated manufacture of electrical automobiles” and that the primary to be constructed there would be the subsequent electrical flagship, now generally known as Challenge Trinity.
Challenge Trinity will probably borrow components of the prevailing MEB EV structure, however with substantial software program and powertrain upgrades according to Volkswagen’s ambition to “form the brand new group spine”.
It is unclear whether or not non-MEB-based EVs will stay a part of the ID household, however the manufacturing model of the Trinity probably will not arrive till the ID 3 and ID 4 have been available on the market for a number of years.
Challenge Trinity to be Degree 4 autonomous prepared
With the brand new platform, Volkswagen boss, Ralf Brandstäter, stated the corporate can be “democratising autonomous driving”.
Challenge Trinity will provide ‘Degree 2+’ autonomous features, probably together with driver monitoring and adaptive cruise management, and be made “Degree 4-ready,” hinting at its potential for full self-driving capabilities and place because the model’s new technical flagship.
Higher use of in-house software program
A key ingredient of differentiation between right now’s ID 3 and the following Volkswagen electrical flagship would be the software program utilized in its make-up. The model’s newly shaped Automobile.Software program division will make use of greater than 10,000 workers worldwide by 2025 and can try to spice up the proportion of in-house know-how utilized in Volkswagen Group automobiles from 10 p.c to 60 p.c.
At present in growth is a brand new bespoke working system known as VW.OS, which is described because the software program equal of a automobile platform and will be anticipated to make its debut when Challenge Trinity is unwrapped.
The division’s former boss, Christian Senger, beforehand informed our sister publication, Autocar UK that it’ll operate in another way for automobiles at totally different worth factors, help wi-fi updates and performance very like a smartphone.
The Challenge Trinity programme is much like sibling model Audi’s Artemis venture, which can end result within the premium marque launching a luxurious electrical saloon by 2024.
Devised as a rival to the upcoming Mercedes-Benz EQS, it will, like Challenge Trinity, pioneer know-how not but seen on Audi fashions, together with 5G connectivity features and augmented actuality.
Challenge Artemis will function a technical showcase for as much as 75 future Volkswagen Group fashions, together with Challenge Trinity.
Volkswagen in India
Shifting focus to the Indian market, Volkswagen is lining up just a few new product launches this yr with an important being it’s Taigun mid-size SUV and an all-new mid-size sedan to interchange the ageing Vento. The Taigun was revealed as an idea days previous to the Auto Expo 2020 early final yr.
The mid-size SUV will share it’s underpinnings with the Skoda Kushaq, its sister model’s mid-size SUV, and be supplied with a alternative of turbo-petrol engines – the 1.0-litre turbo mill at the moment used within the Polo and Vento and a brand new 1.5-litre turbocharged unit. The mid-size sedan is predicted to reach by mid-2021 with the sedan to observe within the latter half of the yr. Additionally on the playing cards for India is the usual Volkswagen Tiguan which will likely be bought alongside the Allspace at the moment on sale.
Additionally see:
Volkswagen Taigun teased earlier than launch later in 2021
New automobiles for 2021: Sedans
New Automobiles for 2021: EVs
