Audi to lose MLB Platform - massive cost cuts

[Litestorm]

Volkswagen introduces platform cull and slashes premium brand’s R&D budget.

Audi has had its research and development budget cut for all future models as part of huge cost-cutting measures introduced post-Dieselgate, it has been revealed by a German newspaper.

It’s believed the biggest impact from the budget cut will be forcing cars like the next A4 and A5 to switch to the transverse engine MQB platform.

Larger A6 and A7 models, meanwhile, will be built on a short-wheelbase version of the MSB architecture the new Porsche Panamera sits on. This means Audi’s next large sedan and hatch will switch from front/all-wheel drive and become standard with rear-wheel drive. More powerful models will gain all-wheel drive.

The R8 supercar’s future, on the other hand, is now in jeopardy.

Full story at

http://www.motoring.com.au/audi-hit-by-massive-dieselgate-related-cuts-104262/

 

[Giannis]

This article makes Audi's future appear quite black.

I very much doubt they are going to cheapen the A4/ A5 underpinnings that much.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Considering the high "scalability" of the VW-Groups' MSB matrix (and eventually MSB Evo matrix), I would also venture the speculation that future A4s'/A5s' will be MSB(Evo)-based.

But what will become of the current SUV models, Q5 and upwards ?

 

[SCOTT27]

There has been rumours about this in the industry for a good few months I even had a blind item about it.
http://www.germancarforum.com/threads/bentley-bentayga.54146/page-12

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

I think the future R8 platform will share the next gen 911 platform, unless that plan has been cancelled with all the recent scuttlebutt.

 

[domleo999]

Very good news for the a6 upwards. Bad news for the A5 downwards - proportions will look absolutely terrible

 

[martinbo]

Bad news for the A5 downwards - proportions will look absolutely terrible

If anything, the proportions may end up slightly better as the front overhang can be reduced because the engine isn't longitudinally ahead of the front wheels.

 

[domleo999]

If anything, the proportions may end up slightly better as the front overhang can be reduced because the engine isn't longitudinally ahead of the front wheels.

In that respect, yes possible. But with the length of the whole vehicle, with the short hood, i don't think it will work on bigger vehicles competing with the 3er and C

 

[John Galt]

Very good news for the a6 upwards. Bad news for the A5 downwards - proportions will look absolutely terrible

Are serious? What can be worse than the current fwd proportions that audi models have now.
Very good news. Finally, they heard me. Rwd based audis will be beautiful

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

The current layout is based on the DKW one.Vorsprung durch alte Technik