Next Volkswagen Golf will have Rivian DNA

The next-generation Volkswagen Golf will be co-developed alongside Rivian, a US electric car-maker that will work alongside the German auto giant as part of a new $9 billion deal.

And a major project to come from the joint venture, which reportedly cost VW a substantial US$5.8 ($A8.9b) billion, will be the all-new Mk9 Volkswagen Golf.

Set to launch in 2029, Rivian will be tasked to engineer a pioneering all-new electric architecture for the iconic hatchback.

The Californian-based all-electric ute and SUV-maker caught the eye of Volkswagen because of its advanced electrical 'zonal' architecture that bundles hardware together, slashing the number of electronic control units (ECU) and software needed.

The set-up is said to boost simplicity while reducing the chances of failures and now it seems the new-gen Golf will be the first to benefit from Rivian's electrical platform, as well as the sophisticated software developed by the US company.

The same electronics will then go on to appear in the VW Group's flagship Porsche and Audi products, with the new tech set to make its debut as early as 2027.

Both Rivian and VW remain tight-lipped about what else is hatching but electrical architecture well-beyond 900-volts, along with more robust battery tech could allow for ultra-fast charging of more than 450kW, is thought to be on the cards.

That said, Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe, has publicly spoken out against expensive 800- or 900-volt systems, saying they weren't necessary for small or medium-sized vehicles, because the chemistry in smaller battery packs was of a limiting factor than voltage, when it comes to fast-charging.

Despite this, Rivian is said to be secretly developing a 900-volt architecture for its future vehicles, and it's believed this set-up will be favoured for the Mk9 Golf as insiders have previously told carsales that the ID.3 EV was 'too conservative' with its tech when it launched in 2020.

Helping to iron-out any flaws, some of the advanced tech destined for Volkswagen is tipped to be rolled out on the Rivian R2 SUV that will go on sale earlier in 2026, which will help preview what's in store for the future Golf.

The Mk9 Golf, meanwhile, will land in 2029 with an all-electric powertrain.

Speaking to media, Volkswagen’s passenger cars chief executive, Thomas Schafer confirmed the next Golf would be one of the main beneficiaries of the VW-Rivian tech.

"We decided on how to do the software-defined vehicle. It will happen with?Rivian, the joint venture, where we put the new electric electronics architecture together," said Schafer.

"But we have also decided that we want to start this journey with a more iconic product. So, we’ll start with the Golf."

Said to be class-leading in terms of innovation, the Mk9 Golf ride on the Volkswagen Group’s forthcoming Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) that should bring huge improvements in both efficiency and driver assistance tech.

When it arrives, the new hatch will also serve as a replacement for the ID.3, which, before the Golf's arrival, will be heavily updated in 2026.

Ensuring a seamless transition over the new Mk9 Golf, the current Mk8.5 will be upgraded at least one more time to ensure it remains fresh.

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