Volkswagen’s MQB is among the many most distinguished platforms, spawning quite a lot of fashions
The phrase is usually utilized in automotive circles, but its that means is not extensively understood – and is very variable
One factor the automobile trade is famend for is jargon – and the issue with jargon is that phrases could be interpreted otherwise relying on who’s utilizing them.
Electrical autos’ traction motors are an instance. Are people who keep away from using everlasting magnets individually excited synchronous motors or externally excited synchronous machines? You select, as a result of the trade has by no means been good at agreeing requirements.
The time period ‘platform’ is one other instance. Previously decade it has emerged from being a relative rarity in automotive chat to being as widespread as these previous favorite phrases ‘unsprung weight’ and ‘power-to-weight ratio’.
In equity, there is a cause why ‘platform’ and its stablemate ‘structure’ are so extensively used now, and that is as a result of each strategies of engineering design are utilized to the vast majority of mainstream automobiles in the present day. The distinction between the 2 can get just a little fuzzy, and maybe that is as a result of they’re so intently linked, however utilizing each approaches as a basis to underpin the constructing of automobiles not solely permits producers to take action profitably however in concept must also lead to higher automobiles.
One senior engineer described the distinction between the 2 like this. An structure shares the identical strategy to designing and manufacturing elements like constructions, powertrains and chassis (a typical invoice of design and course of in engineering converse). Alternatively, a platform could be described as having widespread underframe, chassis and powertrain parts able to residing beneath a number of “prime hats”, or bodystyles.
So, for instance, two platforms – these for saloons and SUVs, say – is likely to be constructed utilizing the identical structure. Or, to show that round, a single structure can spawn multiple platform – these for saloons and crossovers, say.
In 2012, Jaguar Land Rover’s D7a structure did simply that, offering the inspiration for a household of utterly totally different autos beneath two totally different manufacturers: Jaguar’s XE and XF and Land Rover’s Vary Rover Velar are examples.
Platforms aren’t new, however they’re extra versatile and a strong software for producers to make use of and share. Traditionally, it may imply merely sharing a floorpan and chassis, just like the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia being based mostly on the Beetle. Many of the trade’s massive names have used and shared platforms in Europe, Japan and America in comparable methods over time.
In Europe in the course of the Eighties, a main instance of ‘platform sharing’ was Fiat’s front-wheel-drive Tipo Quattro platform, which underpinned the Fiat Croma, Lancia Thema, Saab 9000 and Alfa Romeo 164. Though the wheelbases of the 4 automobiles had been the identical, different facets had been fairly totally different, particularly the powertrains, from Saab’s four-cylinder turbo to Ferrari’s V8 (within the Lancia), so this was removed from a ‘badge engineering’ train.
Since then and particularly over the previous decade, platforms have developed significantly in sophistication. It is greater than a decade since Volkswagen launched its Modular Transverse Matrix, or MQB. ‘Modular’ is one other buzzword used regularly now however simpler to fathom than ‘platform’ or ‘structure’. It underlines the truth that modular platforms and the sizes of the automobiles they underpin could be modified by having a alternative of fundamental elements which can be interchangeable, like centre sections which can be longer to increase the wheelbase or the rear flooring to hold a hybrid battery. In that sense, like a baby’s building equipment, totally different automobiles could be constructed by deciding on various key elements from the toolbox that could be a modular platform.
There are limits, although: whereas a centre part or tail part dimension could be altered, there have to be constraints, like the space from the accelerator pedal to the entrance axle line within the case of the MQB. That is to accommodate a spread of engines that every one have the identical main dimensions and kind a part of the identical platform, whether or not petrol, diesel or hybrid.
What grew to become fairly apparent pretty quickly (and in reality had been all alongside) was that EVs would require their very own architectures and platforms. If a automobile is not going to have a combustion engine, gasoline tank or exhaust system, what’s beneath every part that we see could be very totally different. 4-wheel drive can simply be achieved by becoming an electrical motor at each ends, and in the present day’s two-wheel-drive EVs are both front- or rear-driven anyway. Batteries are straightforward to suit beneath—or, higher nonetheless, as a part of—the ground.
It is simple to see how completely electrical powertrains with important elements like inverters built-in into the electrical machines that drive the automobile lend themselves to devoted, electric-only, modular platforms, and that is what has occurred.
Volkswagen’s Modular Electrical Drive Toolkit, or MEB, adopted the MQB. It was designed for rear-motor, rear-wheel drive and the choice of a entrance motor giving four-wheel drive. In between the 2 it’s flat, a battery forming the ground and a passenger compartment freed from humps. It has since been shared with Ford, in addition to different Volkswagen Group manufacturers, corresponding to Audi and Skoda, for which it was at all times meant.
Stellantis has taken a extra cautious strategy with its vary of STLA-branded platforms: Giant, Medium, Small and Body (the final one being for pick-ups and industrial autos). Though they’re billed as ‘BEV-by-design’, the corporate qualifies that with the phrase ‘multi-energy’, that means it helps hybrid drive as nicely — so not fairly the unequivocal strategy taken by others, just like the Hyundai Group’s E-GMP platform and Volvo’s new SPA3 platform beneath the EX60.
What we now have coated to this point is absolutely the mechanical facet of platforms: how they’ve develop into modular, comprised of a sequence of constructing blocks utilizing each physique and powertrain elements from a pre-designed and pre-manufactured toolkit. However we hear the phrase ‘structure’ lots as nicely when it comes to electrics and electronics. EVs’ electrical architectures are described as 400V, 800V or each, and on this case, though ‘structure’ pertains to elements and their features, the upper voltage permits smaller cable sizes, lowered weight and sooner charging.
You’ll discover that these two are additionally known as ‘platforms’, to explain the premise on which a automobile is constructed. For infotainment system structure it is a comparable story, as a result of the time period refers to each {hardware} and software program. Infotainment methods have moved from particular person elements like ‘a radio’ or ‘a CD participant’ to classy networks with centralised controllers incorporating stuff like leisure, navigation, automobile controls and extra.
The newest might be the ‘software-defined automobile’ the place, for instance, electronics management the character of a chassis and the way a automobile drives, somewhat than conventional {hardware} elements. Part provide large ZF says its CubiX software program platforms symbolize a “paradigm shift in chassis growth”, as a result of the place engineers have used elements to outline the traits of a automobile’s chassis, now it is the opposite approach round. Digital features will management the best way the chassis behaves by controlling elements. The software program platform is not tied to any specific {hardware} both and can be utilized with third-party elements in addition to ZF’s.
As increasingly facets of a automobile transfer to drive-by-wire, these centralised digital management platforms are more likely to play a a lot greater function in a sort of overarching ‘plug and play’ state of affairs that can make automobile manufacturing and class unrecognisable from simply a few a long time in the past.
Some platforms you need to know
Volkswagen Group Modularer Querbaukasten
The Volkswagen Group spent an estimated £50 billion growing the MQB platform and the primary autos to make use of it, led by the fabled Mk7 Volkswagen Golf of 2012. It was cash nicely spent: the vastly modular platform enabled the corporate to strip away huge swathes of manufacturing complexity and has been used for greater than 70 totally different autos of vastly various sizes throughout its numerous manufacturers. Up to now, greater than 32 million automobiles have been constructed utilizing the platform.
Key fashions: Volkswagen Golf, Seat Ibiza, Audi TT, Volkswagen Tiguan, Skoda Very good, Skoda Kodiaq, Cupra Formentor
Renault-Nissan Frequent Module Household
Launched in 2013, when the Renault-Nissan Alliance was in its pomp, the CMF is definitely a household of platforms, starting from CMF-A (used for A-segment automobiles such because the Renault Kwid) to CMF-C/D (used for the Renault Rafale, Nissan Qashqai and plenty of extra). There are additionally two electrical variations: CMF-B EV (used for the likes of the Renault 5 and Nissan Micra) and CMF-EV (used for the Renault Megane E-Tech and Nissan Ariya). Renault took the lead on growing the CMF-B EV, with Nissan specializing in the CMF-EV. There’s additionally loads of confusion in regards to the names of these platforms: Renault renamed them Ampr Small and Ampr Medium respectively however has now modified that to RGEV Small and RGEV Medium, whereas Nissan nonetheless makes use of their authentic titles.
Key fashions: Renault Clio, Renault 5, Nissan Juke, Nissan Qashqai, Mitsubishi Outlander, Renault Scenic E-Tech, Alpine A390
STLA Medium
Stellantis has 4 most important platforms for its multitude of manufacturers, labelled STLA Small, STLA Medium, STLA Giant and, for pick-up vehicles and industrial autos, STLA Body. The core of its European line-up sits on the electric-first STLA Medium, which has its roots within the Environment friendly Modular Platform 2 (EMP2) that was developed by the PSA Group and launched in 2013. The STLA Medium is designed for the C- and D-segments, by which Stellantis sells greater than 20 fashions—a part of the rationale it will possibly produce as much as two million autos on the platform every year. In electrical kind, the STLA Medium can settle for two totally different battery sizes and front- and four-wheel-drive powertrains.
Key fashions: Peugeot 3008, Vauxhall Grandland, Jeep Compass, DS N°7
