A MAJOR car brand will push back the release of an EV by six years – meaning drivers will be forced to wait for the launch of a £17k entry-level electric motor.
German giants Volkswagen had planned to launch a new ID.4 SUV model from its next-generation Trinity platform, but the manufacturer group’s CEO has delayed the plans due to “software issues”.
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According to the Handelsblatt newspaper, VW will now launch its Trinity Project in 2032, having already delayed it until 2028 after an original start date of 2026.
The famous marque already has several electric vehicles for sale on the UK market – including the ID.3 hatchback, ID.4, ID.4 GTX, ID.5 SUV, ID.5 GTX, ID.7 saloon, ID.7 Tourer and the stylish ID.Buzz campervan.
There are also a handful of ID.4 models available on the market, including the standard ID.4 with a 224-mile range, and the ID.4 Pro with a 349-mile range.
Earlier this year, VW said it would create an “all-electric entry-level mobility” vehicle, set to cost just €20,000 or £17,176 with an expected launch in 2027.
Thomas Schafer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, said: “The future is electric.
“In order for electromobility to become widespread, attractive vehicles are needed, especially in the entry-level segment.
“Our brand promise is: electromobility for all. This promise is now being fulfilled in the Brand Group Core.”
Volkswagen recently revealed that they will release their final ever petrol-powered car in the UK next year.
This move is part of their full switch to EVs, which will see them cull their petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid motors.
That means the next-gen T-Roc crossover will be their last all-new petrol model.
VW also make a little-known Cabriolet version of the T-Roc, although earlier this year it was announced that the drop top edition would be discontinued when the updated version is launched in 2025.
The soft-top crossover – which itself was released in 2020 – was Europe’s second best-selling convertible last year, and its loss will leave VW without a soft-top model across its entire range.
This also comes as VW revealed in May that it will be scrapping its entire range of performance EVs – after just over two years.
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