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Volkswagen's next Touareg reportedly moves to Rivian-based SSP
Volkswagen is said to be preparing a radical shift for its large SUV lineup: a fully electric ID. Touareg built on the Scalable Systems Platform (SSP). According to German trade weekly Automobilwoche, the zero-emission successor to the current internal-combustion Touareg could arrive around 2029 and will reportedly adopt software and zonal electrical architecture developed by U.S. EV maker Rivian.
Why Bratislava matters
Automobilwoche also names Volkswagen's Bratislava plant as the likely first European assembly site for SSP vehicles. The Bratislava factory is already deeply integrated into the Volkswagen Group's large-SUV production chain: it builds the combustion Touareg, Audi Q7/Q8, and Porsche Cayenne/Cayenne Coupe, and also manufactures D-segment models such as the Volkswagen Passat and the Škoda Superb. Moving an SSP-based ID. Touareg to Bratislava would leverage the plant's capacity and SUV expertise while keeping production close to Volkswagen's longtime Slovak operations.
SSP, Rivian tech and zonal architecture
The Scalable Systems Platform is Volkswagen Group's ambitious next-gen EV architecture, intended to unify hardware and software across brands. What's notable in the Automobilwoche report is the mention of Rivian-sourced software and zonal electrical architecture — a modern approach that reduces complexity by grouping wiring and compute into zones rather than many separate ECUs. For buyers, zonal architecture promises faster software updates, improved diagnostics and greater flexibility for different drivetrain configurations.
Range extender option: practical long-distance driving
One of the more intriguing rumors is that the ID. Touareg could be offered with a range-extender (EREV) powertrain. Unlike a plug-in hybrid, an EREV uses an internal-combustion engine purely as an on-board generator to recharge the high-voltage battery and extend driving range — the wheels remain electrically driven. Volkswagen has confirmed SSP is being engineered to support such range-extender solutions, a capability it highlighted in mid-2025.
- Range-extender benefit: extended real-world driving range without relying on public charging networks.
- How it works: the ICE spins a generator to feed the battery, which then powers electric drive units.
- Recent benchmark: the 2026 Ram 1500 REV pairs a 3.6-liter V6 generator with electric motors, producing up to 647 hp and 610 lb-ft (827 Nm) in peak output and an estimated 690 miles (1,110 km) combined range with full battery and tank.
Applied to a large electric SUV like an ID. Touareg, an EREV option could significantly improve EPA or WLTP range figures and reduce range anxiety for customers who frequently drive long distances.
Market context and immediate lineup changes
Volkswagen has confirmed the current internal-combustion Touareg will be discontinued next year. That will reposition the Tayron as Volkswagen's largest SUV offering in Europe and the UK — a model that, unlike North America's Tiguan, is available with three rows of seats in the Old Continent.
For shoppers considering a new Touareg today, the outgoing model remains on sale: as of September 2025 its German entry price is about €74,925 and the UK starting price is roughly £71,390. The most powerful variant currently is a plug-in-hybrid V6 turbo that produces approximately 340 kW (about 456 hp) combined.
What we still don't know
Key technical details remain unconfirmed: specific range-extender hardware, battery sizes, motor configurations and final performance figures for the ID. Touareg are still unknown. Volkswagen and its suppliers typically keep such specifications under wraps until formal model announcements. Still, the combination of SSP, zonal architecture and range-extender capability points to a flexible platform strategy designed to meet diverse market needs — from pure BEV buyers to those prioritizing long-distance usability.
Quote highlight: 'An SSP-based ID. Touareg could combine Rivian-influenced software with Volkswagen's SUV engineering to create a high-tech large electric SUV that answers range concerns via EREV options.'
As automakers push to electrify premium segments, Volkswagen's reported plans for a 2029 ID. Touareg on SSP will be one to watch — especially for customers seeking large, feature-rich electric SUVs with practical long-range solutions.
Source: autoevolution
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