What is a car platform. car platform

Volkswagen has unveiled a new MQB platform that could revolutionize the automotive industry. What is its uniqueness?

First, a few words about what is called a platform, because the term “built on a platform” is quite common. At frame car the frame itself would be considered a platform with undercarriage: the resulting trolley, as it were, was opposed to the body, which was installed on top.

Thus, on one platform - the frame - you can "put on" different bodies and build, for example, an SUV and a minibus, like Mitsubishi Pajero And .

If there is no frame and a load-bearing body, it is more difficult to imagine a platform, although in essence we are talking about the same thing. Only instead of the frame, the floor of the car is taken with subframes, as well as suspension, brake system, steering, electrical and a certain layout of the engine compartment. The platform elements of a monocoque vehicle are practically invisible from the outside, but, in principle, such a bogie can also drive independently.

MQB Platform V Golf variant VI

Another thing is that it has low rigidity, therefore real car in addition to the platform itself, it has construction sites welded on top, a roof, as well as doors, an interior, a power unit and other elements.

In fact, the concept of a platform is a little more complex, since it does not simply mean the described bogie, but rather a set of similar components that form a family of such bogies suitable for assembling related cars. For example, Volkswagen Golf(5 and 6), Eos, Scirocco, Jetta, Skoda Yeti, Octavia, Audi A3, Seat Leon, Toledo, Altea are built on the same PQ35 platform. They are related by the commonality of many components, although some may undergo metamorphosis when installed on different models.

For example, Skoda Superb built on the platform of an elongated Passat, which, in turn, was obtained by "stretching" the floor of an ordinary Passat. In this case, the platform includes not just a “static” part - the floor of the car - but also a principle that allows you to relatively painlessly change the length of the car's wheelbase.

In general, a set of homogeneous components and the principle of their interchangeability is usually called a platform. True, not all manufacturers interpret the term in the same way, but in general, the platform is the common denominator of models that look different. It may also include elements of electrical equipment, control electronics, pipes and other parts that are convenient to "clone".

The engine and transmission are usually not included in the platform, but it contains, as it were, an “outline” of the future set power units, allowing you to set a certain number different motors, boxes and drives with a minimum of alterations. Sometimes for a platform there is a clearly fixed set of engines that are developed specifically for it, and in this case it is more correct to consider the power units as one of the platform modules.

Most platforms have either front-wheel drive(sometimes supplemented by full), or rear (similarly).

Platforms appeared in the automotive industry back in the 60s, and their meaning is clear: why design ten unique suspensions when you can invest in the development of one, more universal one, and put it on all ten models?

This is how VW acquired a taste for platforms - this incomparable Karmann Ghia is built on the basis of the "Beetle"

The holy grail for any manufacturer is a platform that is so versatile that absolutely any car can be built on its basis: from a minicar to a heavy SUV. In a sense, the idea is utopian, but you can imagine the technology of the future, when you, sitting on the Internet, move the sliders and make the car longer, then higher, then wider, fitting it to your requirements, like clothes. And then send the order to production.

Why is this idea not put into practice? Platforms work well in a virtual environment, but in practice, changing some parameters is not so easy. For example, we want to create a small car and a long sedan on the same component base. But a runabout needs to be short and cheap, and plain steel can be used to provide acceptable body rigidity. But in the case of big sedan which isn't as tight on cost, it's probably worth increasing the percentage of high-strength steels, otherwise the bodywork will either be too heavy or too pliable. In general, to combine different classes of cars within the same concept is not such an easy task as it seems, and is associated with the search for successful compromises.

This is the breakthrough of Volkswagen, because it is planned to produce up to 60 models based on the MQB, and completely different classes: from Polo to Passat! In other words, it will provide the foundation for all modeling Volkswagen series, Skoda and Seat, plus partly for Audi, and maybe Porsche.

The platform allows the creation of hybrid models, among other things.

As I already said, a platform is not so much a "cart" as a principle of combining similar components, and under this Volkswagen principle ready to rebuild production system. Mixed models will be produced on one conveyor different brands and different classes. In principle, this approach is still used now, it's just that VW expands the range of "difference" of models on one pipeline branch.

Such a unique platform brings many advantages. You can save on components, since they will be purchased in large quantities, which means lower cost. Reduced time and costs for the development, testing, launch of new models. It becomes possible to pay more attention to the quality of the platform, without wasting energy on the development of new "carts". Volkswagen hopes to save up to 1 billion euros per year through the new platform.

But there may be problems. No matter how flexible the platform is, it imposes great restrictions on the developers of specific machines, which means that some models may turn out to be compromises. Maybe VW managed to find golden mean in each model, but then their brainchild is simply brilliant.

There may be difficulties with the image plan if the cars different prices will have too many obviously identical components, which is why more expensive model started to be perceived as "cheaper". However, Volkswagen has a lot of experience in disguising the sameness: can you say that the puffy Leon looks like a Golf? And who will find similarities between the Volkswagen Phaeton and Bentley Continental GT?

Sometimes building cars on the same platform created the conditions for "cannibalism", for example, almost identical Mitsubishi Outlander XL, Peugeot 4007 and Citroen C-Crosser steal customers from each other. Again, it's more about badge engineering here, while VW has the ability to make cars different enough that they don't piss each other off. I can assume that Skoda will be a little longer and more spacious, Seat will retain an emphasis on sportiness to the detriment of some practicality, Volkswagen will take care of finding the golden mean, and so on. Probably, unexpected combinations will also appear, such as a minivan SUV, like Seat Altea free track.

By the way, Volkswagen is not alone in the search for an absolutely universal platform. Former Formula 1 engineer Gordon Murray has been bringing to mind for several years now, which allows you to change the parameters of the car almost arbitrarily, although it is mainly focused on small cars. The principle is more revolutionary than that of the VW, for example, the supporting frame is supposed to be bent from flat steel sheets, and the plastic body panels are painted in bulk.

Looking to the future: where can the idea of ​​universal platforms lead? Probably coming soon specialized companies, which will release NoName platforms for major manufacturers. And those, in turn, will take on the role of integrators who add missing parts to the platform (upper body, interior, powertrains) and engage in product marketing: something similar takes place in the electronics industry.

Currently on automotive market the winner is the one who responds faster to customer needs and is ultimately able to develop and manufacture the final product (car) in a short time and at a lower cost. This condition is more consistent with the strategy of using automobile platforms in the production of automobiles. On the other hand, this strategy contributes to the process of globalization of automotive companies.

under the term " car platform» refers to the totality of design, engineering and manufacturing decisions, as well as structural elements, which are used in the production of several models of cars of the same class of one or more brands.

The main structural elements that define the car platform are:

1. the bottom of the body, which serves as the basis for most elements of the car;
2. wheelbase, represented by the distance between the front and rear axles;
3. steering and the amplifier used in it;
4. front and rear suspension;
5. placement and, corresponding to it, selection of engines and transmissions.

The strategy of automobile platforms is used in their activities by many large automobile companies, including Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Hyundai-Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Peugeot-Citroen, Renault-Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen. It should be noted that the concept of a car platform varies from one manufacturer to another.

The use of car platforms provides the manufacturer with a number of significant advantages:

• reducing the cost of developing new car models;
• reduction of production setup time for the release of a new car model;
• flexible interaction between individual automobile factories, which allows you to transfer production from one plant to another;
• wider use of the production capabilities of factories by increasing productivity, standardizing production;
• optimization of stocks of parts and components necessary for the production of the car;
• the ability to cover several segments of the automotive market (for example, budget cars and business class cars);
• improving the quality of the final product by reducing the range of components.

At the same time, the strategy of car platforms has a number of disadvantages:

• the gradual erasing of differences between cars, the so-called. pseudo-engineering- the release of several car models, but in fact one car with different names;
• the impossibility of making changes to the platform due to the incompatibility of structural elements;
• blurring the value of the final product, the perception expensive cars cheaper than their real cost (for example, Lexus will never be on a par with Mercedes-Benz, because in fact it is Toyota);
• on the other hand, budget cars, thanks to the platform, get more value;
• high probability of a large number of vehicles being recalled from service due to the discovery of a defect in the platform.

A further development of the automotive platform strategy is a modular platform that allows you to create cars various classes based on unified modules. The modular vehicle architecture significantly reduces development costs and time-to-market for new models.

The development of modular platforms is reported by a number of automotive companies: Mercedes-Benz (MFA, MRA, MHA, MSA), Peugeot-Citroen (EMP2), Renault-Nissan (CMF), Volkswagen (MQB, MLB), Volvo (SPA), Toyota (TNGA).

The pioneer in the widespread adoption of modular platforms is Volkswagen. Based on her Modular Transverse Matrix(MQB) plans to produce over 40 transverse engine models in various bodies(classes) and under different brands(Audi, Seat, Skoda, Volkswagen). The modular platform allowed the manufacturer to reduce vehicle weight, fuel consumption and offer the consumer new technologies that were previously available on higher-class cars.

Volkswagen has implemented the modular principle at all levels: from individual structural elements, components and assemblies to the car as a whole. The main modules are the engine, transmission, front and rear suspension, electrical equipment. In addition to petrol and diesel engines alternative power plants can be placed on the platform: engines on gas fuel, hybrids, electric motors.

One of the main characteristics of the modular cross platform from Volkswagen is the uniform position for the entire range of engines. This provides a fixed distance from the axis front wheel to the pedal assembly. Other dimensions of the modular platform (wheelbase, track width, front end, rear end bodywork, cockpit) may vary.

Along with the advantages, the use of a modular platform can be accompanied by a number of problems:

• technical complexity and large stock durability of a new car (not necessary for small and middle class);
• the high cost of adapting the platform to some car models (it is cheaper to develop a new platform);
• restrictions on the use of new systems (appeared after the release of the platform);
• quality problems due to non-optimized vehicle design.

Thus, to get maximum effect a modular platform requires a careful, balanced and cost-effective application.

Tough competition in the automotive market forces manufacturers to more intensively throw more and more new models into it. Success is determined not only by competent marketing, but also by successful design developments. Everything is being modernized: from design to platform.

The purpose of the car platform

It is believed that the automotive platform is the sum of all blocks and assemblies based on standard design developments, produced using a specific, well-established technology.

The purpose of the platform is unification production process and accessories. This allows you to reduce costs, increase serialization, and raise the level of production optimization.

car platform

At the same time, the platform is not an absolutely rigid system in terms of the set of components and requirements. Developers can actively make changes and necessary additions to it. But still there are details that are not corrected and constitute the basis set in the platform. There are several significant elements here.

1. First of all, these are parts of the car. These include the front and rear sections of the bottom. They are not only buffer zones in case of accidental collisions on the track, but also the basic part for attaching the rest of the main components: engine, suspension, steering column, etc.
2. The suspension design is also subject to unification. Only its adjustment is done in order to adapt to a specific modification of the car, which has a different characteristic of the stabilizer, shock absorber power springs, etc.
3. The vehicle platform also includes a range of engines. It is a modular range of different motors.
4. Gearboxes are also required components. Typically, manufacturers have two or three transmission designs complete with gearboxes. automatic switching. Various combinations of these nodes can significantly increase the range.
5. Many auto corporations consider it useful to develop small parts of the platform. Even the seat frame can have a high degree unification.

How long do platforms for cars live

The lifetimes of various platforms and their fates are sometimes unexpected. For example, the Volkswagen concern produces about ten models of four brands using one PQ35 platform.

But it also happens that concerns, having squeezed everything out, sell the platform subsidiaries for the production of cars of social models. Having exhausted the resource of variability, the automotive platform ends its existence. Now she can only be found in museums, in the garages of car fans or on the pages of auto magazines in the retro sections.

Museum exhibit

For completeness of information about automotive platforms, it is worth touching on their advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages

• reducing the cost of design development of a new range of models;
• reducing the time spent on changeover of the production process when switching to the release of a new model;
• the ability to quickly curtail and transfer production from one enterprise to another;
• wide coverage of various sectors of the car market (budget, sports, business class);
• an increase in the quality of goods with a parallel decrease in the range of components.

Flaws

• the disappearance of features between cars and the appearance of twins with different names;
• the lack of the possibility of design refinement of the platform for the use of certain elements;
• difficulty in assessing expensive car perceived as a cheap model;
• high probability of returning the car due to a defect in the platform.

In the end, I would like to add that a recent analysis of the auto industry market by specialists revealed an unexpected trend on it. As a result of the recent economic crisis, a somewhat shabby automotive industry tends to abandon the concept of technological autoplatforms.

Manufacturers are also warmed up by a satiated consumer who is actively looking for new products. And the current technology is stalling in an attempt to quickly satisfy the vagaries of automotive fashion. An alternative to platforms is modular designs, which are more flexible and responsive to the whims of the market.

In the 1960s, things got even more complicated, as manufacturers began to gradually move from frame structures on load-bearing bodies and it became impossible to build something exclusive in such conditions.

At first glance, modern platform building has a completely different philosophy. Then the task was to make the car more expensive and more unique, but today, on the contrary, to reduce the cost of construction as much as possible. But the essence, in general, is one. We have a platform and a selection of bodies that people buy based on their tastes. One likes Ford more, another likes Mazda, and the third one prefers Volvo. The main change is purely technological. Building a body is now about finding an incredibly difficult compromise between aerodynamics, safety, weight, comfort and design. That is why, instead of hundreds of small bodywork studios, several powerful automakers “rule” the process. Only they, with their resources, can develop such a complex product as a car body.

What is the platform today?

Due to the fact that one platform can be built a large number of cars of different models, brands and classes, the set of design elements varies. Within the framework of one platform, a list of load-bearing structures is laid: several types of spars, floors, engine shields. This defines several bases of cars (relatively speaking, "trolleys"), on which in the future they will be installed various engines, transmission and body.

Also, within the framework of the platform, a line of power units and transmissions installed on certain power structures defined earlier. Here it is necessary to explain. Motors in soplatform cars can be either the same or completely different. Let's say at Ford Focus and Mazda3 within the framework of the C1 platform, there is nothing in common in terms of engines, as well as Renault Logan And Nissan Almera they are identical.

The world of cars is changing quite dynamically. Requirements for manufactured machines are constantly changing, more and more various technologies appear, and any, even the most modern design gets outdated very quickly. In such conditions, in order to keep up with competitors and timely release models that are interesting to buyers, manufacturers need to solve the problem of rapid development and launch of a new product.

The first step in this direction was the use of . The strategy of using a basic set of design and engineering solutions for the production of cars of different classes and brands turned out to be quite successful for manufacturers, but not ideal.

What is the essence of the modular platform?

The next stage in the development of the platform strategy for the production of cars was the modular platform. Now it is being actively developed by many automakers, but in general, it is still at the development stage, so there are not so many cars built using this type of platform.

Toyota TNGA Modular Chassis

The essence of the modular platform boils down to the fact that unified components and parts - modules - are used to create cars of different classes. It resembles a constructor, allowing from the same constituent elements create completely different models - from compact city cars to large crossovers.

The components of the platform - modules, are:

1. Power point
2. Transmission
3. Suspension
4. Steering
5. electrical equipment

In fact, the modular platform looks something like this - the manufacturer releases a line power plants with very different performance characteristics, but with the same attachment points. Do the same with other modules. And then just the components are assembled together to get a “cart” with the required indicators and characteristics at the output. And then the resulting “trolley” can only be equipped with everything missing and the car is ready.

MQB - the first platform of modules

Note that each automaker has its own approach to creating a modular platform. The pioneer in its use is considered concern VAG, which has already started producing some of its models (Audi A3) using modules. The manufacturer also announced a complete transition to such a construction of cars in the near future.

VAG designated its first modular platform as MQB. It is applicable to vehicles with a transverse power plant. It is noteworthy that it can also be used to create hybrid versions as well as electric cars.

The main feature of MQB is the ability to change overall parameters carts in a fairly wide range, which allows you to create cars of various classes. So, the dimensions of the cabin, the wheelbase, the width between the wheels, the front and rear parts of the body can easily change. But there is one parameter that is unchanged - the distance from the front axle to the pedal block. This is due to the fact that the design provides for a single position of the power plant for all cars built from modules.

But MQB is not suitable for cars with other types of layout. It cannot be used for machines with a longitudinal position of the power unit, as well as versions with rear wheel drive. For such cars, VAG creates its own modular platforms - MLB and MSB.

Advantages and disadvantages

For manufacturers, the introduction of a modular platform provides many benefits:

• reducing the cost of developing new versions of cars;
• speed of setting up the production of models;
• the possibility of prompt transfer of production between plants;
• unification constituent parts;
• reduction in the range of parts.

All this makes it possible to optimize and reduce the cost of car production, but at the same time, this practically does not affect the cost of the final product. This is because the development of a modular platform is very expensive, and only the largest concerns can afford such costs.

There are also disadvantages in such a construction of a car:

• since the platform is used to build various classes of cars, a significant margin of safety is initially laid in it, which is not particularly necessary for some models (small and middle class), but this affects the cost;
• the impossibility of using technologies and developments that appeared after the start of building a car;
• unification of nodes reduces the individuality of the car;
• due to the discovery of a technological error in the design of the platform, all cars built on it and managed to leave the assembly line will be subject to recall.

In general, in order to introduce a modular platform into car production, automakers should take its development very seriously, because it should work well both on small city cars and 7-seater crossovers. Any mistakes for manufacturers will result in very serious costs.

Developments by other manufacturers

And yet, the existing risks do not stop concerns. The decision to switch to modular platforms has already been announced:

• Reno-Nissan Alliance ( CMF platform);
• Fuji Heavy Industries, which produces Subaru (SGP);
• Concern PSA, producing Peugeot and Citroen (EMP2);
• Volvo (SPA platform for large and CMA for smaller vehicles);
• Toyota (with TNGA platform);
• Mercedes-Benz (with a package of modular platforms MFA, MRA, MHA, MSA);
• GM Corporation (E2XX, with variations P2XX, C2XX, D2XX);
• Honda with its Compact Global Platform.

Reno-Nissan CMF Concept

And each of the manufacturers has its own views on the modular architecture of building a car. For example, for Reno-Nissan, the CMF platform implies the use of 5 modules ( engine compartment, interior, front and rear chassis components, electrics and electronics) each of which will include several variations. All modules are fully compatible with each other, which allows you to create cars of different classes.

What's next?

A continuation of the modular concept of building cars is the development of power plants according to the same principle. The maximum unification of the components of power units will significantly reduce the cost of their production. At the same time, it is envisaged that the use of modules will not lead to a reduction in the range of power plants offered for a particular model.

In the modular development of power plants, the VAG concern is also in the lead. At the same time, it acts in two directions at once - the creation of modular gasoline engines(MOB) and diesels (MDB). BMW is also working on using modules to build powertrains.

Development of the VAG concern

In general, the modular architecture of building cars is a new direction that has been actively developed by automakers, although it has many nuances and negative sides. In addition, all the advantages relate more to the manufacturers themselves, buyers do not really benefit from this.