Volkswagen claims it is “not afraid” of the menace posed by any Apple Car and launched this shadowy teaser picture that might characterize why. The picture is a teaser for Project Trinity, an electrical sedan that CEO Ralf Brandstätter known as “our software program dream automotive.”
Like any pie within the sky idea it in fact is designed in anticipation of superior self-driving capabilities, lengthy vary electrical propulsion techniques and quick charging battery tech, however that software program bit is the place it exhibits the plans in place. According to VW the plan is to begin manufacturing on this automotive in 2026, as a part of a automobile lineup with fewer variants and the place all the pieces is standardized.
What that means is that as a substitute of constructing a number of variations of the identical automotive with various capabilities, they’re going to construct one model with all the pieces included, however solely unlockable “on demand” — and sure for a price. Tesla has already proven one thing like this with driver help tech that’s out there to unlock after the automotive is bought, whereas BMW has tried promoting features with a subscription mannequin and is taking a look at increasing. As Autoblog factors out, VW’s model might lengthen to features like AWD, or unlocking GTI-level aero and dealing with packages on a short-term and even per-mile foundation.
According to the CEO, “In the long run, the person configuration of the automobile will now not be decided by the {hardware} on the time of buy. Instead, prospects will be capable of add features on demand at any time by way of the digital ecosystem within the automotive.”
