Volkswagen Group MQB platform

Volkswagen Group MQB platform
"MQB Bodengruppe"
Volkswagen MQB floor assembly on display at the 2012 Hannover Messe.
Overview
ManufacturerVolkswagen Group
Production2012–present
Body and chassis
Layout
Chronology
PredecessorPQ25 platform
PQ35 platform
PQ46 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. It was first introduced in the Volkswagen Golf Mk7 in late 2012. Volkswagen spent roughly $8bn[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 MQB a "strategic weapon."[4]

  1. ^ "VW could sell £50bn MQB platform | Autocar". www.autocar.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  2. ^ Pötsch, Hans Peter (2011-05-19). "Volkswagen - Driving Forward" (PDF). volkswagenag.com. Volkswagen AG. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-07-29. 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 2014-07-14. 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 [..]
  4. ^ 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 2012-06-23. Retrieved 2012-11-22.
  5. ^ Ross, David (2012-02-02). "Volkswagen's new chassis explained". honestjohn.co.uk. Honestjohn.co.uk Ltd. Archived from the original on 2013-04-07. Retrieved 2012-11-22.