Volkswagen Group MQB platform

The Volkswagen Group MQB platform is the company's strategy for shared modular design construction of its transverse, front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout (optional front-engine, four-wheel-drive layout) automobiles. Volkswagen spent roughly $60bn^[1] developing this new platform and the cars employing it. The platform underpins a wide range of cars from the supermini class to the mid size SUV class. MQB allows Volkswagen to assemble any of its cars based on this platform across all of its MQB ready factories. This allows the Volkswagen group flexibility to shift production as needed between its different factories. Beginning in 2012, Volkswagen Group marketed the strategy under the code name MQB, which stands for Modularer Querbaukasten, translating from German to "Modular Transversal Toolkit" or "Modular Transverse Matrix".^[2]^[3] MQB is one strategy within VW's overall MB (Modularer Baukasten or modular matrix) program which also includes the similar MLB strategy for vehicles with longitudinal engine orientation.^[4]

MQB is not a platform as such, but, rather, a system for introducing rationality to different platforms that have transverse engines, regardless of the ten body configurations the company manufactures for any of its eleven vehicle brands. Thus MQB coordinates a core "matrix" of components across a wide variety of platforms — for example, sharing a common engine-mounting core for all drivetrains (e.g., gasoline, diesel, natural gas, hybrid and purely electric), as well as reducing weight. The concept allows different models to be manufactured at the same plant, further saving cost.^[4]^[5]

Ulrich Hackenberg, chief of Volkswagen’s Research and Development (Head of Audi Development until 2015), called MB a "strategic weapon."^[4]

Press comments

British magazine Car said "the idea heralds a return to basic principles of mass production in an industry where over the last 100 years, complexity has spiralled out of control. By creating a standardised, interchangeable set of parts from which to build a variety of cars, (the company) plans to cut the time taken to build a car by 30%."^[6]

The car blog Jalopnik said "The biggest feature is the uniform position of all motors and transmissions" and that "by fitting all motors into the same place (the company) hope(s) to cut down on engineering costs and weight/complexity when porting the car over to other models."^[7] Around 60% of the development costs occur between gas pedal and front wheels, including the engine.^[8]

MQB-based models

MQB models may range from superminis to large family cars, replacing the current generations of models. The MQB architecture replaces the PQ25, PQ35 and PQ46 platforms.

All MQB cars will share the same front axle, pedal box and engine positioning, despite varying wheelbase, track and external dimensions.

Body styles: (2) 2-door coupe, (3) 3-door hatchback, (4) 4-door saloon, (5) 5-door hatchback, (w) 5-door station wagon, (c) convertible, (m) 5-door MPV, (x) 5-door SUV/crossover, (v) panel van.

Models

Audi A1 Mk2 (5)
Audi A3 Mk3^[2] (3, 4, 5, c)
Audi A3 Mk4 (4, 5)
Audi TT Mk3 (2, c)
Audi Q2 (x)
Audi Q3 Mk2 (x)
Cupra Formentor
Jetta VS5 (China), (x)
Jetta VS7 (China), (x)
SEAT Ibiza Mk5^[9] (5)
SEAT León Mk3^[2] (3, 5, w, x)
SEAT León Mk4 (5, w)
SEAT Arona^[10] (x)
SEAT Ateca (x)
SEAT Tarraco (x)
Škoda Kamiq (x)
Škoda Karoq (x)
Škoda Kodiaq (x)
Škoda Octavia Mk3^[2] (4, w, x) (2013-2019)
Škoda Octavia Mk4^[2] (4, w) (2020-pres.)
Škoda Scala (5)
Škoda Superb B8^[11] (4, sw)
Volkswagen Arteon (4, w)
Volkswagen Atlas / Teramont (x)
Volkswagen Bora (China), (4, w)
Volkswagen Caddy Mk4 (m, v)
Volkswagen Golf Mk7^[2] (3, 5, w, x) (2012-2019)
Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan (m)
Volkswagen Golf Mk8 (5) (2020-pres.)
Volkswagen Jetta MK7 (4)
Volkswagen Lamando (China), (4)
Volkswagen Lavida (China), (4)
Volkswagen Nivus (x)
Volkswagen Passat Mk8 (4, w, x)
Volkswagen Passat NMS (Chinese second generation) (4)
Volkswagen Polo Mk6 (5)
Volkswagen T-Cross (x)
Volkswagen T-Roc (x)
Volkswagen Tayron (China), (x)
Volkswagen Tharu/Tarek (China, Americas), (x)
Volkswagen Tiguan Mk2 (x)
Volkswagen Touran Mk2 (m)
Volkswagen Viloran (China), (m)

Audi A1
Audi A3
Audi A3 Sedan
Audi A3 Cabriolet
Audi A3 e-Tron
Audi S3
Audi S3 Sedan
Audi S3 Cabriolet
Audi RS3
Audi RS3 Sedan
Audi TT
Audi TT Roadster
Audi TT RS
Audi TT RS Roadster
Audi TTS
Audi TTS Roadster
Audi Q2
Audi Q2L
Audi SQ2
Audi Q3
Audi Q3 Sportback
Jetta VS5
Jetta VS7
SEAT Ibiza
SEAT León
SEAT León Cupra R
SEAT León SC
SEAT León ST
SEAT León ST Cupra R
SEAT León Xperience
SEAT Arona
SEAT Ateca
Cupra Ateca
SEAT Tarraco
Škoda Kamiq
Škoda Karoq
Škoda Kodiaq
Škoda Kodiaq GT
Škoda Kodiaq RS
Škoda Octavia
Škoda Octavia Combi
Škoda Octavia Combi RS
Škoda Octavia RS 245
Škoda Octavia Scout
Škoda Scala
Škoda Superb
Škoda Superb Combi
Volkswagen Arteon
Volkswagen Atlas/Volkswagen Teramont
Volkswagen Teramont X
Volkswagen Bora
Volkswagen e-Golf
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Golf Variant
Volkswagen Golf Alltrack
Volkswagen Golf GTD
Volkswagen Golf GTD Variant
Volkswagen Golf GTE
Volkswgen Golf GTI
Volkswagen Golf R
Volkswagen Golf R Variant
Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Lamando
Volkswagen Lamando GTS
Volkswagen Lavida
Volkswagen Gran Lavida
Volkswagen Passat
Volkswagen Passat Alltrack
Volkswagen Passat GTE
Volkswagen Passat GTE Variant
Volkswagen Passat Variant
Volkswagen Passat NMS
Volkswagen Passat NMS PHEV
Volkswagen Polo
Volkswagen Polo GTI
Volkswagen Virtus
Volkswagen T-Cross
Volkswagen T-Roc
Volkswagen T-Roc R
Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet
Volkswagen Tayron
Volkswagen Tharu/Volkswagen Tarek
Volkswagen Tiguan
Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace
Volkswagen Touran
Volkswagen Touran L

References

^ "VW could sell £50bn MQB platform | Autocar". www.autocar.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Pötsch, Hans Peter (2011-05-19). "Volkswagen - Driving Forward" (PDF). volkswagenag.com. Volkswagen AG. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-11-22. Retrieved 2012-11-22. MQB: Modularer Querbaukasten / Modular Transversal Toolkit
^ "Experience - Volkswagen AG - Factbook 2011" (PDF). volkswagenag.com. Volkswagen AG. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-11-22. Retrieved 2012-11-22. The Modular Longitudinal Matrix is the use of a modular strategy in vehicle platforms in which the drive train is mounted longitudinally to the direction of travel.[..] This concept is already used at Audi since 2007 to develop vehicles. [section header] "MODULAR TRANSVERSE MATRIX (MQB)" - The Modular Transverse Matrix signifies the next quantum leap in the extension of the cross-brand platform and modular strategy. As an extension of the modular strategy, this toolkit can be deployed in vehicles whose architecture permits a transverse arrangement of the drivetrain components. The MQB enables us to [..]
^ ^a ^b ^c Schmitt, Bertel (2011-08-07). "The Revolution Of The Car Industry: Kit Cars". The Truth About Cars. The Truth About Cars. Archived from the original on 2012-11-22. Retrieved 2012-11-22.
^ Ross, David (2012-02-02). "Volkswagen's new chassis explained". honestjohn.co.uk. Honestjohn.co.uk Ltd. Archived from the original on 2012-11-22. Retrieved 2012-11-22.
^ Crosse, Jesse (2012-02-23). "Tomorrow's world: VW's new MQB platform tech". Car. Bauer Media Limited. Archived from the original on 2012-11-22. Retrieved 2012-11-22.
^ Hardigree, Matt (2012-02-01). "This Is The New Volkswagen Golf". Jalopnik. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on 2012-11-22. Retrieved 2012-11-22.
^ Joann Muller. "How Volkswagen Will Rule The World" Forbes Magazine, May 6, 2013 Forbes. Page 1 Page 3
^ http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/seat/ibiza/99025/new-seat-ibiza-2017-review
^ http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/seat/94892/new-2017-seat-arona-suv-spotted-testing
^ http://media.skoda-auto.com/en/_layouts/Skoda.PRPortal/pressrelease.aspx?ID=795

"VW's (Volkswagen Group) four-platform future uncovered". Autocar. Haymarket Media Group. 27 November 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
Fulthorpe, Mark (April 2002). "Europe's slight rise & anticipated decline - Auto by the Numbers - car sales, production in Western Europe - Illustration - Statistical Data Included". CBS Interactive Business UK. Retrieved 1 October 2009.

External links

[1] "VW could sell £50bn MQB platform | Autocar". www.autocar.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-11-15.

[MQB-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Pötsch, Hans Peter (2011-05-19). "Volkswagen - Driving Forward" (PDF). volkswagenag.com. Volkswagen AG. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-11-22. Retrieved 2012-11-22. MQB: Modularer Querbaukasten / Modular Transversal Toolkit

[3] "Experience - Volkswagen AG - Factbook 2011" (PDF). volkswagenag.com. Volkswagen AG. 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-11-22. Retrieved 2012-11-22. The Modular Longitudinal Matrix is the use of a modular strategy in vehicle platforms in which the drive train is mounted longitudinally to the direction of travel.[..] This concept is already used at Audi since 2007 to develop vehicles. [section header] "MODULAR TRANSVERSE MATRIX (MQB)" - The Modular Transverse Matrix signifies the next quantum leap in the extension of the cross-brand platform and modular strategy. As an extension of the modular strategy, this toolkit can be deployed in vehicles whose architecture permits a transverse arrangement of the drivetrain components. The MQB enables us to [..]

[truth-4] Schmitt, Bertel (2011-08-07). "The Revolution Of The Car Industry: Kit Cars". The Truth About Cars. The Truth About Cars. Archived from the original on 2012-11-22. Retrieved 2012-11-22.

[honest-5] Ross, David (2012-02-02). "Volkswagen's new chassis explained". honestjohn.co.uk. Honestjohn.co.uk Ltd. Archived from the original on 2012-11-22. Retrieved 2012-11-22.

[car-6] Crosse, Jesse (2012-02-23). "Tomorrow's world: VW's new MQB platform tech". Car. Bauer Media Limited. Archived from the original on 2012-11-22. Retrieved 2012-11-22.

[jal-7] Hardigree, Matt (2012-02-01). "This Is The New Volkswagen Golf". Jalopnik. Gawker Media. Archived from the original on 2012-11-22. Retrieved 2012-11-22.

[8] Joann Muller. "How Volkswagen Will Rule The World" Forbes Magazine, May 6, 2013 Forbes. Page 1 Page 3

[9] ttp://www.autoexpress.co.uk/seat/ibiza/99025/new-seat-ibiza-2017-review

[10] ttp://www.autoexpress.co.uk/seat/94892/new-2017-seat-arona-suv-spotted-testing

[11] ttp://media.skoda-auto.com/en/_layouts/Skoda.PRPortal/pressrelease.aspx?ID=795

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v t e Volkswagen Group Platforms
New Small Family platform (PQ1x) (ultra compact city cars)	NSF (PQ12)
A00 platform (city cars)	A00
A0 Platform (PQ2x) (superminis)	A01 A02 A03 A04 (PQ24) A05 (PQ25)
A Platform (PQ3x/PQ4x) (compact and mid size cars)	A1 A2 A3 A4 (PQ34) A5 (PQ35) A6 (PQ46)
B Platform (PL4x) (various mid size cars)	B1 BX B2 B3 B4 B5 (PL45) B6 (PL46) B7 (PL47)
C Platform (mid size/luxury Audis)	C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6
D Platform (PL6x) (large/luxury sedans)	D1/D11 D2 D3 D4 D1 (VW Phaeton/Bentley)
E Platform (PL7x) (mid size/luxury SUVs)	PL71 PL72
T Platform (Transporters)	T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6
Modular Platforms	MQB (Modular Transversal front wheel drive/four wheel drive) MLB (Modular Longitudinal front wheel drive/four wheel drive) MSB (Modular Longitudinal rear wheel drive/four wheel drive) MMB (Modular Longitudinal mid-engine or rear-engine rear wheel drive/four wheel drive) MSS (Modular Sports Car System) MEB (Modular Electric Drive) PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) PPE (Premium Platform Electric) SSP (Scalable Systems Platform)
Other Platforms And Vehicles	B-VX62 (MPVs) LT/T1N (vans and small trucks) Amarok (pickup truck)

Press comments

MQB-based models

Models

See also

References

External links