Radical overhaul to in-car hardware and software will see Cupra and other Volkswagen brands adopt connectivity-ready, Android-based VW.OS system The Volkswagen Group is moving to a new Google Android Automotive-based operating system that will debut in the Cupra Raval electric hatchback from mid-2026, before rolling out to many other Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra models. The new “VW.OS” system uses Android Automotive — a full vehicle software stack not to be confused with Android Auto smartphone mirroring — as a new basis for in-car software. Built atop an open-source Android base, VW.OS has built-in connectivity features that are designed to be ‘always on’, with the car constantly connected to the mobile network. That unlocks features like full vehicle over-the-air software update capability and quick security updates, but it should also see Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra cars offer full smartphone app-driven connectivity in Australia for the first time. Global Cupra product executives confirmed that the rollout of the system was underway and that the Australian market would be a beneficiary of the tech. Cupra Australia brand director Jerome Figuiere told Chasing Cars that the manufacturer was considering how best to implement an orderly changeover. “Yes, the connected services will come to Australia. Whether it will come at the same time as the Raval – we are working on this,” he said. “We are working on the date — not only one that suits the Raval, but something that suits the entire range. If we are going to launch connectivity, we are not going to launch it for one model; we are going to launch it for the full range,” said Figuiere. The Android-powered system is built into the new Cupra Raval which launches in the coming months in Europe and late 2027 or early 2028 in Australia. However, the first car to