Volkswagen Group held an investor presentation final week the place it supplied an replace on plans for a extremely modular electrical automobile platform often called the Scalable Programs Platform (SSP) that can ultimately underpin most automobiles throughout the automaker’s portfolio of manufacturers.
The SSP platform was first introduced in 2021 by former VW Group CEO Herbert Diess, who on the time stated the platform would debut in 2026 in a compact mannequin from the Volkswagen model, code-named Undertaking Trinity. Nevertheless, present VW Group CEO Oliver Blume delayed the platform’s introduction pending a evaluation on all main initiatives, which he initiated after changing Diess in 2022.
In the course of the latest investor presentation, VW Group stated the SSP platform is again on monitor for a 2026 introduction—and with improved efficiency. The automaker did not say in what automobile it is going to debut, nevertheless.
In line with VW Group’s presentation, the SSP platform will assist energy outputs starting from 160 to greater than 1,740 hp. It is going to additionally provide automated driver-assist expertise rated at Stage 4 on the SAE scale of self-driving functionality, the automaker stated. Stage 4 means a automobile that may deal with itself with out driver intervention for prolonged intervals.
Oliver Blume
The SSP platform can even use many extra standardized elements in comparison with present platforms utilized by the automaker, together with the battery which is able to have a standard cell and require solely 12 minutes for a cost from 10-80% when utilizing a DC quick charger. The widespread cells will probably be used throughout roughly 80% of VW Group’s automobiles, and can primarily be provided by VW Group’s personal battery firm often called PowerCo, which was established in 2022.
Using standardized elements means VW Group will be capable of slash manufacturing prices of its EVs to the purpose that almost all SSP-based EVs may have related margins to comparable gas-powered automobiles. In line with the automaker, capital expenditure and improvement prices of automobiles based mostly on the SSP platform needs to be round 30% decrease than comparable automobiles based mostly on VW Group’s present MEB platform designed for mainstream EVs.
Sure manufacturers can even be given accountability to develop totally different variations of the SSP to assist speed up improvement. The VW model will probably be answerable for variations underpinning minicars and different small fashions. Audi will develop variations for the compact and mid-size segments, and Porsche will develop variations for giant segments. Not less than one model being developed by Porsche, dubbed the SSP Sport, will underpin a new three-row SUV that Porsche plans to launch round 2027. Porsche can even have its personal EV platforms for sports activities fashions like the electrical 718 due round 2025 and a potential electrical hypercar due within the second half of the last decade.
