The German automotive concern, Volkswagen Group has, since the 1970s, developed a series of shared automobile platforms for their motor vehicles.

Originally, these were identified using a simple alphanumeric system. The first letter prefix indicates the car classification or physical size (A, B, C or D - for 'traditional' cars); followed by a number to enumerate different generations of the same class. However, more recent platforms have formally departed from this convention, although the older alphanumeric codes continue to be used informally.

These platforms may be used by one or more marques of the Group.

Platform codes

Original system

{|class="wikitable" border="1" width=100%

|+Volkswagen Group alphanumeric platforms

!platform name!!used for!!notable examples!!comments

|-

!A00

|city cars||Volkswagen Lupo, SEAT Arosa||This platform never developed any subsequent evolutions or generations.

|-

!A0 series

|supermini cars||Audi 50, Volkswagen Polo, SEAT Ibiza, SEAT Córdoba, Škoda Fabia||As of 2014, in its sixth generation.

|-

!A series SEAT Ibiza (6L), SEAT Córdoba (6L), Škoda Fabia (6Y), Škoda Fabia (5J), Škoda Roomster

|-

!PQ25

|sport utility vehicles (SUVs)||Porsche Cayenne, Volkswagen Touareg (7P)

|}

Modular component systems

In 2007, Volkswagen Group introduced a more flexible "modular component system" architecture on which to base future platforms. Four such component systems were planned: However, models developed from these modular component systems may also be identified by PL/PQ platform designations.

  • MQB: Modularer Querbaukasten, or "modular transverse component system", highly scalable platform for vehicles with a transverse-mounted combustion engine and front-wheel or all-wheel drive, developed by Volkswagen.
  • MLB: Modularer Längsbaukasten, or "modular longitudinal component system", predecessor of the PPC for vehicles with a longitudinally installed combustion engine and front or all-wheel drive in the mid and luxury class, developed by Audi.
  • PPC: Premium Platform Combustion, successor to the MLB for vehicles with a longitudinally installed hybridised combustion engine and front or all-wheel drive in the mid and luxury class, developed by Audi.
  • MSB: Modularer Standardantriebsbaukasten, or "modular standard drive train system", for vehicles with longitudinally mounted front engine and rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, developed by Porsche.
  • MMB: Modularer Mittelbaukasten, for mid-engined or rear-engined sports cars. Currently used by the Porsche 992 911 and the Porsche 982 718.
  • MSS: Modulare Aufhängungslösung, or "Modular Sports System", used for the Audi R8 and the Lamborghini Huracán.
  • MNB: Modulare Nutzfahrzeugbaukasten, for light commercial vehicles (VW Crafter/MAN TGE).

Software platforms

  • GENIVI Linux
  • Bosch Software Components
  • MIB - Modular Infotainment Platform
  • MIB 2
  • MIB 3 - BlackBerry QNX
  • E³ 1.1 (End-to-End 1.1)
  • Volkswagen Automotive Cloud
  • Platform 1.2
  • E³ 2.0 architecture
  • Unified Platform 2.0

Electric car platforms

  • J1: J1 Platform underpins the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT. It is derived from the MSB platform.
  • MEB: Modularer Elektrobaukasten is an electric car platform developed by Volkswagen Group.
  • PPE: Premium Platform Electric for larger electric car models co-developed by Audi and Porsche.
  • SSP: Scalable Systems Platform is planned to be introduced in 2029.

Other

The first generation of the Volkswagen Amarok (2H) is based on a specially developed chassis, while the second generation (NF) is based on and utilises the T6.2 platform in cooperation with Ford and shares many of the same parts as the second-generation Ford Ranger (P703/RA).

References

  • Volkswagen Group corporate website