An EV future for a hatchback icon! 2029 Volkswagen Golf Mark 9 to be reinvented as groundbreaking electric car with help from Rivian: report

Volkswagen's next-generation Golf, the Mark 9, will be radically transformed into a high-tech electric car when it is released in 2029, gaining the brand's latest electrical architecture and software, according to a report.

The reinvented model will play a key role in VW’s electric revolution, with the Mark 9 reportedly set to be the first Golf engineered exclusively as an EV with the current petrol Mark 8.5 set to sell alongside it.

According to Autocar, the Golf Mark 9 will effectively merge with VW’s electric ID sub-brand, potentially resulting in the car being called the ID. Golf. It could go the other way, however, and see the ID sub-brand scrapped and assimilated into VW’s general line-up.

Before then, though, Volkswagen will launch at least three all-new electric models, starting with the ID. 2X crossover SUV as an electric T-Cross replacement. Autocar expects it to launch at the Munich motor show this September.

It will share the same underpinnings as the ID. 2all, which is expected to swiftly follow the ID. 2X's launch. It’s likely to be a Polo-sized electric city car, which is rumoured to spawn the first electric GTI, as has been teased previously in concept versions.

At this point the iconic GTI badge could supersede the GTX badge that currently defines hi-po ID models, such as the ID.4 and ID.5.

The ID. EVERY1 will arrive in 2027 as a budget-friendly electrified successor to the iconic Up!, which is where things starts to get more interesting for the Golf Mark 9.

Along with the ID. EVERY1, the Golf Mark 9 is expected to be one of the first VW models to utilise software and electrical architecture co-developed with Rivian, which is expected to underpin future electric VW models well into the foreseeable future.

Dubbed the SSP platform, the 800-volt architecture is set to be ultra-flexible with a modular platform that allows it to be used in a wide-variety of powertrain sizes, dimensions and body shapes.

Rivian is said to be developing the bulk of the software, which will use the least amount of processors possible, thus reducing weight.

That said, it will still allow for significant controls over the car’s hardware through over-the-air (OTA) updates. Rivian has previously used OTA updates to amend the suspension on its Gen 1 and Gen 2 R1T vehicles to deliver improved ride quality and handling.

VW’s Head of Technology Development, Kai Grünitz, confirmed to Autocar that similar features would be available on future VW platforms.

“With OTA updates I can introduce new functionality to our customers even after they bought the car, without them needing to bring it in for a service. That means it’s really the next step,” said Grünitz.

As the new Golf Mark 9 is developed, the report suggests production of the Mark 8.5 is expected to shift to VW’s plant in Mexico to make room for the next-gen model, marking the first time since the model’s inception in 1974 the Golf hasn’t been built in Wolfsburg.

The Mark 8.5 is expected to be heavily updated as the new model is ushered in, with Europe set to be limited to plug-in hybrid variants as Euro 7 emissions standards take effect.

VW Australia’s local plans for the current Golf remain uncertain, but we would expect the plug-in variant to be introduced by then as penalties against local carmakers who breach emissions standards begin to take effect.