Official: VW Golf Mk9 Will Be An EV, No More Future ICE Models

Volkswagen has further confirmed its plan to transition into a full-fledged EV automaker by announcing that they are “nearly done” with launching new ICE-powered models. In a special interview with German publication Automobilwoche, VW CEO Thomas Schafer has also confirmed several VW core models will be rejuvenated as all-electric models, including the iconic Golf.

Volkswagen Passenger Cars CEO Thomas Schafer

"It's clear that we will not be giving up iconic names like Golf, Tiguan and GTI, but will be transferring them to the electric world," the CEO told Automobilwoche.

This means that the current-gen Golf Mk8 will be the final ICE-powered Golf model, as the marque currently plans to continue the Golf’s iconic nameplate legacy in a fully-electrified hatch form, possibly underpinning VW Group’s new SSP EV platform, which is set to be the successor to both the MEB and PPE platforms.

Schafer insisted that the new Golf EV won’t underpin the MEB/MEB+ architecture, as those platforms are reserved for the ID EV models.

The CEO further added that a “major product upgrade” will be introduced in 2024 to keep the Golf fresh and remain relevant until the end of the decade, with the marque not planning to power the new Golf with any forms of ICEs. However, the VW Group top brass doesn’t completely ruled out the possibility of an ICE-powered Golf Mk9, especially considering the recently-approved 2035 EU ICE ban that includes a special exemption for ICE cars exclusively powered by carbon-neutral synthetic fuels .

"If the world develops completely differently than expected by 2026 or 2027, then we can also launch a completely new vehicle. I do not believe that. So far this is not planned," Schafer said.

2022 Volkswagen Polo R-Line

Aside from the Golf, Schafer also hinted that the new ICE-powered Polo won’t be getting a next-gen redux, as the upcoming Euro 7 emission regulation will deem the marque’s supermini too expensive to be produced. The boss said in order for the next-gen Polo model to be compliant with the strict Euro 7 regulation, the automaker must fit it with a partial electrification system, which will make it cost as much as the ID.2all concept EV.

Volkswagen Passat Estate (top), Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace (left), Volkswagen T-Roc (right)

Elsewhere, the CEO also unveiled that the firm is not planning to launch any future ICE-powered models, apart from the last three models which will be their final-ever ICE models to come out this decade. This includes models like the new Passat estate, the next-gen Tiguan SUV, as well as the T-Roc crossover – all set to debut by 2025.

"T-Roc is the last new combustion engine in Europe that we see on the horizon. Of course, the others get even bigger product upgrades. But completely new vehicles are not in the plan after that, at least not so far," Schafer added.

2022 Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace R-Line

In-line with the marque’s plan to keep their iconic nameplates alive, VW is also planning to launch a compact electric crossover model in 2026, possibly carrying the ID.Tiguan moniker. This new EV crossover will be exclusively built at VW’s Wolfsburg plant, with production set to begin soon after the production of ICE-powered Tiguan being phased out.

Ultimately, Volkswagen aims to sell only EVs in Europe by 2033 – two years before the sales ban on new ICE-powered vehicles will come into effect in the EU.