German Car Forum

martinbo · 11-12-2009, 07:37 AM

Source: VW's new platform for 60 models - Autocar.co.uk

Quote:

Volkswagen is putting the finishing touches to a brand new front-wheel drive platform to be used by up to 60 models from Audi, Seat, Skoda and Volkswagen by the middle of the next decade.

Known as MQB (modularen querbaukasten or modular transverse engine mount architecture), the new structure will replace today’s PQ2, PQ3 and PQ4 platforms. The move, according to Wolfsburg insiders, will help save Volkswagen and its various offshoots up to a billion euros per year by streamlining production and creating greater economies of scale.

The secret to the MQB is the way it provides for a common distance between the front axle and the pedals irrespective of the size of the car it is applied to. VW’s head of R&D, Ulrich Hackenberg, claims this will help reduce the number of front-wheel drive 'engine mounting architectures' used by Volkswagen from 18 today to just two. (!!!)

The new platform design, which will make its debut on the next Audi A3, due in 2011, allows for a much greater variance in track width, wheelbase and wheel size than with Volkswagen’s existing transverse engine platforms, while allowing for both front drive and four-wheel drive.

“It gives us the possibility to produce models from different segments and in varying sizes using the same basic front-end architecture,” said Hackenberg. “We can go from a typical hatchback to a saloon, cabriolet and SUV with only detailed changes to the size of the wheel carriers.” He said it will be used on every model from the new Lupo all the way through to the next-generation Sharan.

The new architecture should provide between 60 and 70 per cent parts commonality between Volkswagen’s biggest-selling models. And as well as supporting petrol and diesel engines, it has been developed to support models using natural gas, liquid petroleum gas and ethanol. Modifications will also permit the inclusion of hybrid drive.

Giannis · 11-12-2009, 08:24 AM

So, "by the middle of the next decade" the only thing that will differentate all the VAG products, from basic Lupo, to half a million Bentleys is the badge on the trunk...

martinbo · 11-12-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giannis

So, "by the middle of the next decade" the only thing that will differentate all the VAG products, from basic Lupo, to half a million Bentleys is the badge on the trunk...

Well not quite! You, of course, know that this is limited to cars that specifically make use of transverse engine mountings coupled with primarily FWD and then Haldex-based AWD architecture.

So, anything larger than the current PQ4 platform such as the Audi A4 which uses longitudinally mounted engines will have a separate platform. Nevertheless, we're still talking a vast variation of models from VW, Audi, SEAT and Skoda; everything from a future Polo, through Golf, Tiguan, Octavia, Leon, TT, S3 - you name it - will feature this common construction foundation. It would be very interesting to see how VW does it.

Giannis · 11-12-2009, 09:44 AM

My comment was mostly ironic about this new platform, but other than that, I am very curious about how the VAG engineers are going to engineer a different type of character into each of those models?

I hope that the Polo, Ibiza and Fabia are not just the same car with a different sheet metal, but they will drive different, eg, the Ibiza being more sporty, the Polo giving a more premium and comfortable feel, and the Fabia, ehm, whatever it is supposed to be.

As for the A4 example you gave. Have all the B8 A4s the engine longitudinally mounted, even the base 1.6? If I recall correctly there were some B6/B7 models with longitudinally mounted engine, and other B6/B7 with a transverse mounted engine.

martinbo · 11-12-2009, 10:39 AM

1.6 B8 A4? Never heard of it... the smallest engine I know of in the B8 is the 1.8TFSI.

Also, to the best of my recollection, all B6/B7 Audis had longitudinally orientated engines; the reason being that the front axle arrangement was specifically designed to accommodate the engine mounted longitudinally:

EnI · 11-12-2009, 11:03 AM

I hope this modular platform is also flexible enough to incorporate some future tech (hybrid, electro) - otherwise they will have to develop another spin-off for such vehicles when needed & when time comes.

dr Dunkel · 11-12-2009, 02:37 PM

Modular platforms are unsexy.

Giannis · 11-12-2009, 02:48 PM

And unwelcome

dr Dunkel · 11-12-2009, 02:56 PM

Please, bring sexy back

Giannis · 11-13-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinbo

1.6 B8 A4? Never heard of it... the smallest engine I know of in the B8 is the 1.8TFSI.

Also, to the best of my recollection, all B6/B7 Audis had longitudinally orientated engines; the reason being that the front axle arrangement was specifically designed to accommodate the engine mounted longitudinally:

Well, I did my search and you are right about both points.

Indeed the B8 starts with a 120hp 1.8TFSI petrol engine, and not an 1.6

Secondly, I found someone with an 1.6 B6 A4, asked to see the engine bay, and indeed the engine is longitudinally mounted. Somehow I was mistaken and thought that the engine is the other way around.

Anyway, thanks for the clearing up...

martinbo · 11-14-2009, 12:13 AM

^Only a pleasure when it comes to you, Giannis.

Poverty · 11-19-2009, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnI

I hope this modular platform is also flexible enough to incorporate some future tech (hybrid, electro) - otherwise they will have to develop another spin-off for such vehicles when needed & when time comes.

Bmw and VAG can keep their hybrid and electro crap when it comes out. Real car enthusiast will never want that tosh.

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German Car Forum

VW's new Modular, Transverse Platform for 60 Models