Volkswagen ID. Touareg Confirmed for 2029: First Model on New SSP Platform
Volkswagen is preparing a bold new chapter for its flagship SUV. According to reports from Automobilwoche, the long-awaited Volkswagen ID. Touareg, scheduled for launch in 2029, will become the first model to ride on VW’s revolutionary SSP (Scalable Systems Platform). This move signals a significant shift in the brand’s electrification roadmap and redefines the future of large electric SUVs.
The Touareg nameplate has been around for nearly 25 years, debuting in 2002 as Volkswagen’s flagship SUV in Europe. Across three generations, it has always shared underpinnings with the Porsche Cayenne, delivering premium comfort and performance. While the upcoming Cayenne Electric will be based on the PPE platform – also used in the Audi Q6 e-tron and Macan Electric – the ID. Touareg will skip PPE entirely and go straight to SSP.
This delayed launch, expected in 2029, appears strategic. VW originally planned to debut SSP with the ID. Roc, the electric sibling of the popular T-Roc, but that model (along with the ID. Golf) has been postponed to 2030. Internal reports suggest production costs and the relocation of ICE Golf manufacturing from Germany to Mexico have complicated the timeline.
Rivian Partnership : Software at the Core
The SSP-based ID. Touareg will feature advanced zonal architecture and software developed in partnership with Rivian, a collaboration that marks a turning point for Volkswagen’s digital ecosystem. Rivian’s software integration will also appear in the Scout EV SUV, designed specifically for North America. However, Scout models won’t reach Europe, and in turn, the ID. Touareg won’t be sold in the United States.
The reasoning is both historic and strategic. The Touareg was initially launched in the U.S. in 2003 but was discontinued in 2017, effectively replaced by the locally-built Volkswagen Atlas, which offers a third row of seats. Unlike the Atlas, the Touareg has always been a two-row premium SUV, and VW appears determined to maintain that separation.
Why the ID. Touareg Matters
The Volkswagen ID. Touareg could become a game-changer. It’s not just another electric SUV – it’s the first glimpse into SSP’s real-world capabilities. With SSP expected to underpin 40+ million vehicles across VW Group brands (including Audi, Porsche, and Bentley) over the next two decades, the ID. Touareg will serve as a flagship for Volkswagen’s transition to scalable electric mobility.
For European customers, this means cutting-edge software, faster charging, and enhanced autonomous driving capabilities baked into the SSP architecture. For Volkswagen, it’s an opportunity to strengthen its premium positioning while preserving the heritage of the Touareg name.
As electrification accelerates globally, the arrival of the ID. Touareg in 2029 will be a milestone not only for Volkswagen but also for the broader EV market, reshaping what consumers expect from a large luxury electric SUV.
