Intel might be a name most associated with PCs and laptops, but its hardware has many other applications. One of those is in the automotive industry, where Intel has unveiled some of its long-term plans for automotive CPU architecture.

Amongst car enthusiasts it is a common joke that modern cars are basically computers on wheels, but that joke conceals the reality of a hugely competitive industry. Intel is seeking to expand its reach in this sector, which is increasingly demanding high-end processors, combined with independent graphics units and even neural processing.

Currently, Intel's ‘Software Defined Vehicle' solutions use designs based on Raptor Lake, specifically the Malibu Lake platform. Though this architecture is planned to last through 2025, Intel has already laid down a roadmap for the next generation of automotive chip architecture.

The new solutions will be called Grizzly Lake, and is expected to launch in the first half of 2027. The platform will be built around a processor code-named Monument Peak and is planned feature the Nova Lake efficiency-core design. This will support up to 32 cores, and include Xe integrated graphics.

Leaked slides show long-term plans

Leaked slides obtained by 3elife suggest that this platform is based on the desktop Nova Lake-S processor series. This processor series uses 16 Performance cores, 32 Efficient Cores, and 4 Low-power Efficient cores. The automotive version is not expected to utilise the Performance cores. The ‘Peak' codename is usually applied to Efficiency or Atom core platforms, so it is unusual to see it used in this context.

The roadmap indicates that an interim design called Frisco Lake will be introduced in 2026. This is said to be based on the Panther Lake desktop CPU series. If this is accurate, it is likely to also feature Xe3 integrated graphics.

About the Author

Rebecca Hills-Duty

Writing and journalism experience at VRFocus, UploadVR, The Escapist, HTC, PC Gamer, Tech Radar+ and Dexerto. Can sometimes be found playing with retro tech.