Volkswagen Group PPE Platform: Powering the Future of Premium EVs”
Prepare to hear more about PPE this year – the codename for Volkswagen Group’s new EV platform set to underpin vehicles from premium brands like Audi, Porsche, and Bentley. The 2025 Porsche Macan EV, offering a glimpse of the PPE platform, is set for an official unveiling soon, with production expected later this year or early next. However, the first PPE-based vehicle to hit the road will be the all-new Audi Q6 E-Tron, slated for launch this spring.
Volkswagen Group
In essence, PPE sits above the MEB platform, supporting EVs from Volkswagen Group’s mainstream brands, and alongside the J1 platform, which underlies the Porsche Taycan and Audi E-Tron GT. This flexible architecture accommodates various wheelbases, tracks, and ground clearances, making it suitable for both cars and SUVs, potentially including successors to the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7, and Bentley Bentayga. Notably, the PPE platform, showcased in the Macan EV, can feature air suspension, 22-inch wheels, and rear-wheel steering.
Vehicles based on PPE will be powered by a new range of modular e-motors, promising higher performance than those in MEB vehicles. The innovative e-motor concept introduces stators of three different lengths, facilitating varied power and torque outputs. These motors, primarily permanent magnet synchronous (PSM) type, are equipped with a common single-speed transmission offering different gear ratios for optimized performance. The transmission enables decoupling from the wheels, promoting energy-saving coasting.
PPE-based vehicles, initially featuring dual motors and all-wheel drive, exhibit advancements in the front axle e-motor, making it more compact, lighter, cost-effective, and energy-efficient. The powertrain control system dynamically adjusts the rear-to-front torque split based on traction conditions. The front e-motor contributes to energy recuperation during braking, enhancing overall efficiency.
The platform incorporates an 800-volt electrical architecture supported by a 100 kWh modular prismatic battery. The battery’s 12 modules, each with 15 prismatic cells, allow for efficient cooling and easy repair or updates. With a 270 kW charge rate, the battery can achieve an 80% charge in less than 22 minutes on a 350-kW charger. The modular construction reduces cobalt usage and increases energy density, emphasizing sustainability.
PPE serves as a stepping-stone toward Volkswagen Group’s larger goal of transitioning to a pure EV producer. Insights gained from PPE will inform the development of the Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), slated to replace MEB and PPE. SSP aims to be a highly modular, software-defined architecture, capable of supporting a wide range of Volkswagen Group EVs, from city cars to supercars. While the launch of SSP faces potential delays, PPE models remain poised to contribute significantly to the evolving landscape of premium EVs.
