Volkswagen Unveils MQB Platform

Volkswagen has shown the new MQB platform that will soon underpin the new Audi A3, VW Golf and Skoda Octavia, and even the Polo sized cars. It standardizes the placement of the engine and a number of other key components creating flexibility and cutting production and development costs.

MQB stands for the German Modularer Querbaukasten, which translates as Modular Transverse Matrix, and will underpin vehicles that are front-engined, mostly front-wheel drive, but also one versions that use hybrid and plug-in powertrains.

The platform takes advantage of the standardization system that’s going to be used by the VW brand to reduce development costs. This also helps the manufacturing process, as different cars will be put together on the same line, with the production line and process being able to accommodate for the differences between models.

Also, MQB brings a common engine mounting system, which allows petrols, diesels and even hybrids to be fitted in the same way inside the bay, and also at the same angle of incline. This is a huge innovation in terms of ease of assembly.

❐ Check out the Volkswagen MQB Platform photo gallery