Audi, Porsche Join Forces For Next-Generation Electric Car Platform & Autonomous Driving Tech: Codenamed J1?

Audi and Porsche finally made it official that they are joining forces despite being independent premium automakers under the Volkswagen group and have been in a way competing against each other for the past years in top-level motorsport. Now, they are in collaboration for a next-generation vehicle platform.

Both independent automakers' collaboration isn't new as Porsche's Macan uses components from Audi's Q5 SUV and well they are part of Volkswagen group. They basically collaborate on projects the best suit them.

Audi and Porsche's cooperation will focus on electrification and autonomy and the development of a new platform and of course various modules and components up until 2025. So, in the following months, developed by reps from both companies, they will prepare the specific areas and roadmap for their new venture.

So, in other words, the shared vehicle platform will catapult both automakers to offer increased electrification, digitalization, and autonomous tech, as announced by their bosses.

Now, what is the new platform? There is not much information to work with as of this writing. But the platform under construction for Porsche's electric sedan based on the Mission E concept could be pivotal in the upcoming venture of the automakers.

Codenamed J1, this platform is a dedicated electric vehicle for high-performance cars which offers to deliver over 300 miles with an 800-volt charging system. In fact, it claims its charging to 80% is only in just 15 minutes.

If the platform is indeed the J1, then it would be no surprise if Audi is in charge with the vehicle's autonomous driving tech. Well, this is because the company has already been given by the Volkswagen group leadership in developing this tech.

Also, Audi is also working with Nvidia closely in terms of the autonomous driving technology. If it has been completed, it will be the very first automaker to have a Level 3 autonomous driving vehicle with its A8, when it is redesigned and debuting this summer.

More information on Audi and Porsche's collaboration will be available in the following months. Also, Porsche's Mission E is set to be launched in 2020, while the Audi electric SUV is set to arrive in dealerships in 2018, both of which will have autonomous driving tech to some degree.