VW Group starts production of new MEBeco electric drive

Audi's plant in Győr, Hungary, has started series production of the new electric drive system called MEBeco, also known as APP290. This will first power the new Cupra Raval, followed by additional models from Volkswagen Group's new electric small car family.

Produktionsstart mebeco elektroantrieb audi ungarn — Image: Audi

The plant has been preparing for series production of the new electric powertrain since 2022, supported by a total investment of €350 million. The Hungarian government contributed €22.5 million in funding towards the project. According to the company, the conversion of the site for e-powertrain production secures 260 jobs. Production is expected to ramp up gradually, with operations increasing from one to three shifts per day in the future.

“I am convinced that the future is electric. The launch of series production of the new electric drive is an important step on the Volkswagen Group’s journey towards electromobility,” said Gerd Walker, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG responsible for Production and Logistics and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Audi Hungaria. “In Győr, I experience the strength of ‘Made in Europe’: flexible production, the courage to innovate, and a team with an exceptionally high level of professional expertise, working with passion and precision on the mobility of the future.”

The MEBeco powertrain is part of the MEB+ platform, an evolution of the Volkswagen Group’s well-known MEB platform. The new e-powertrain represents a significant increase in the company’s vertical integration. For the first time in Győr, the plant is manufacturing not only complete powertrain units but also key components such as the laminated core, rotor, and power electronics—including software and integrated final testing—according to the company.

The first vehicle to be powered by the MEBeco/APP290 will be the new all-electric Cupra Raval, which is built in Martorell near Barcelona. The new small electric car family from the VW Group, including the VW ID. Polo and its GTI variant, as well as the SUV derivatives VW ID. Cross and Skoda Epiq, will also use this powertrain.

The APP290 takes its name from its maximum torque output of 290 Nm. In the Cupra Raval, the electric motor will be offered in four power levels: 85 kW, 99 kW, 155 kW and 166 kW in the range-topping VZ variant. Cupra has set the VZ’s top speed at 175 km/h, 15 km/h higher than the other Raval versions. The performance-focused model accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds.

While these figures are strong for a battery-electric compact car, they also indicate that the Raval VZ is not primarily designed as a long-distance motorway cruiser.

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