Volkswagen Unveils MQB Architecture
Volkswagen unveiled their most important new platform, dubbed MQB (a German acronym for “Modular Transverse Matrix”). The MQB will underpin everything from the Up! to the next (European) Passat, and all points in between.
While the wheelbase can be adjusted to fit different sized vehicles, all motors, whether gas, diesel or hybrid, will use the same mounting points and transmissions. Photos appear to show a raised rear bench seat for better leg room, and stronger steel and more aluminum chassis components will help vehicles like the next Golf shed lots of weight.
The first MQB car will be the new Audi A3, which will debut this summer and be sold only as a sedan in the United States. The new MK7 Golf should follow after that, getting a reveal at September’s Paris Auto Show.
More by Derek Kreindler
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The raised rear seating is more likely due to the need to accommodate a rear differential for any of the 4motion/quattro variations of the platform that will invariably follow...
it was brilliant when Ford started doing it with the model T (yes, I now it's different, but it's the same thinking that lies behind it), and it still is brilliant to base all your cars on one common base. The model T may only have been the base of 10-15 different cars. VW can probably double that, as they more or less have with the current golf platform.