VW Is Also Thinking About Using Rivian’s Software For Internal Combustion Engines

One year after Volkswagen and Rivian joined forces, their collaboration brings new news. Although the partnership was originally focused on developing software for electric cars, Volkswagen is now considering the possibility of using the technology in its future models with internal combustion engines.

The software package is being developed by the Berlin-based joint venture RV Tech, which already employs 1,500 engineers. The team is preparing for the first major milestone—winter testing at the beginning of 2026. VW, Audi, and Scout vehicles will be used in the testing to ensure the reliability of the new system in low-temperature conditions.

One of the first vehicles to receive the new system will be the all-electric VW ID.Every1, whose market launch is expected in 2027. Volkswagen plans to use the same RV Tech software package for other electric vehicles based on the new SSP platform, which can support the production of up to 30 million vehicles. Only after that, models with classic engines could follow.

“For sure, it is an extremely capable architecture, and we could allow future use for ICE as well, but as we have already emphasized, our clear focus is on the implementation of BEV, and everything that comes after that will be decided at a later stage,” Carsten Helbing, co-executive director of RV Tech, told Autonews.

“The architecture is capable of running additional powertrain configurations. So we don’t see a big problem with that, but of course it’s additional work on the component side and on the platform side.”

The new system will not only be used by Volkswagen models. Rivian will also implement the technologies developed by RV Tech in its R2, R3 and R3X models, and the existing fleet of vehicles will also be updated with the latest software.

“We continue to be incredibly excited about the work coming out of our joint venture with the Volkswagen Group,” said Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe.

“RV Tech has gone from strength to strength over the last 12 months and is raising the bar in automotive technology. We are incredibly excited to launch the R2 in the first half of next year, which will demonstrate the progress the joint venture has made,” he added

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