Volkswagen Golf GTE Sport Concept

Volkswagen Sport Coupé Concept GTE

As we predicted, Volkswagen has announced a major shift towards electrification in the wake of the Dieselgate scandal.

There are several strategies laid out today by Volkswagen board of management. Among those strategies, we see an intense future focus on electrification.

Perhaps most importantly, Volkswagen will push electrification across its MQB (basis for current VW Golf and Audi A3) platform:

Systematic further development of the Modular Transverse Toolkit (MQB) There will be a major development thrust for the proven MQB standardized technical toolkit, where Volkswagen Passenger Cars holds responsibility for development within the Group network. The focus is on plug-in hybrids with an even greater range, high-volume electric vehicles with a radius of up to 300 kilometers, a 48-volt power supply system (mild hybrid) as well as ever more efficient diesel, petrol and CNG concepts.

Volkswagen CrossBlue Concept

The MQB platform could underpin more than a dozen models in the future, many of which will be electrified.

Volkswagen adds:

MEB electric toolkit An MEB electric toolkit for future use in compact segment vehicles is to be developed based on the experience gained with existing vehicle architectures. This will be a multi-brand toolkit suitable for both passenger cars and light commercial vehicles and will thus leverage synergies from other electric vehicle projects in the Group. The standardized system will be designed for all body structures and vehicle types, thus allowing particularly emotional vehicle concepts, and will enable an all-electric range of 250 to 500 kilometers.

Of course, there's the flagship electric Phaeton announcement that we covered earlier too.

So, it seems the diesel scandal will kick Volkswagen into gear in a way that enhances the plug-in electric car market and we're thrilled by this outcome.