RV Tech clears winter testing for VW-Rivian SDV platform

The joint venture between Volkswagen Group and Rivian, known as RV Tech, has successfully completed winter testing of its production-intent zonal architecture for software-defined vehicles (SDVs). Testing took place over several months across two phases, with engineering work in Arizona followed by cold-weather endurance testing in Arjeplog, Sweden, where systems were validated under snow and ice conditions.

Reference vehicles representing the Volkswagen ID.Every1, Audi, and Scout underwent hundreds of tests and validation cycles covering hardware-software interaction, all-wheel drive, traction control, driving performance, and over-the-air (OTA) update functionality. Individual approval drives in Germany and Sweden with brand development leadership marked the programme’s completion.

In a statement, Oliver Blume, Chief Executive Officer of the Volkswagen Group, said: “We are accelerating toward the future. With the successful completion of the winter tests, our joint venture once again demonstrates the speed and precision of its work. The close integration between the joint venture, our brands, and the Group follows a clear objective: to excite people with products and technologies that set new standards.”

The SDV architecture is intended for deployment across electric vehicles in Western Hemisphere markets, offering automated driving features and infotainment solutions updatable via OTA. Volkswagen Passenger Cars is expected to launch a software qualification programme in May, sending specialists to RV Tech’s Palo Alto facilities. Audi and Porsche are preparing similar programmes.

Source: Volkswagen