Volkswagen Plans Electric ID.Touareg as Successor to its Renowned SUV
Volkswagen is embarking on an ambitious journey to electrify its SUV portfolio, with strong indications pointing towards an all-electric successor to the iconic Touareg. This strategic move aims to leverage existing manufacturing capabilities and introduce a premium electric vehicle, potentially named ID.Touareg, into the market. The initiative comes as the internal combustion engine Touareg model approaches its discontinuation, creating an opportune moment for Volkswagen to redefine its presence in the burgeoning electric SUV segment.
The current Touareg is scheduled to cease production next year, a decision that has opened up significant manufacturing capacity at Volkswagen's Bratislava, Slovakia, facility. German publication Automobilwoche suggests that this available capacity, combined with a strategic gap in VW's electric vehicle (EV) lineup for a larger SUV, makes the introduction of an ID.Touareg a logical and timely step. Such a vehicle would not only maintain the Touareg's legacy but also align with Volkswagen's broader electrification goals, potentially becoming a cornerstone of its next-generation EV strategy.
While Volkswagen has been emphasizing the development of smaller, more affordable electric models, industry analysts highlight the importance of a larger, premium-priced electric SUV like the ID.Touareg. This approach would enable the automaker to safeguard profit margins, a crucial consideration given the higher price point historically associated with the Touareg within VW's product range. The ID.Touareg could mark a significant milestone, potentially being the inaugural model to utilize Volkswagen's advanced Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) EV architecture in mass production.
Previous plans for SSP-based models, such as the next-generation e-Golf and the forthcoming ID.Cross, have faced delays due to the substantial investment required to retool the Wolfsburg, Germany, plant for their production. However, the impending cessation of current Touareg production frees up resources and manufacturing space in Bratislava, making it a prime candidate for an SSP production line as early as 2029. This timeline, however, remains subject to change, with some reports suggesting that the e-Golf might still arrive by 2028, indicating ongoing adjustments in Volkswagen's EV rollout schedule.
It is anticipated that the ID.Touareg will feature a distinct platform strategy compared to its internal combustion predecessor. Unlike the original Touareg, which shared its architecture with the Porsche Cayenne, the electric version is unlikely to follow suit. The upcoming Porsche Cayenne Electric, slated for a debut later this year, is built on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture, a co-development between Porsche and Audi. The PPE platform is expected to remain exclusive to these luxury brands and other high-end divisions within the Volkswagen Group, underscoring a clear differentiation in platform utilization across the company's diverse brands.
For the U.S. market, a large electric SUV like the ID.Touareg could position Volkswagen as a direct competitor to models such as the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9. Despite these opportunities, Volkswagen's broader EV strategy for the U.S. seems to be progressing cautiously. While a next-generation ID.4, possibly rebranded as the ID.Tiguan, is expected by 2026, the company has yet to confirm additional new electric models for the U.S. market beyond that period, reflecting a measured approach to its electric offensive in North America.
The potential introduction of an all-electric ID.Touareg represents a pivotal step in Volkswagen's electrification strategy, aiming to merge the heritage of a successful SUV with cutting-edge electric vehicle technology. This move not only addresses the evolving market demand for electric SUVs but also strategically utilizes existing production capacities and advanced platform development to ensure Volkswagen remains a competitive force in the global automotive landscape. The future of this electric SUV and its impact on both the European and North American markets will be closely watched as Volkswagen navigates its transition to an all-electric future.