The Audi Q3 will receive the MQB platform
A year ago, Germans from Volkswagen Group have revealed for the first time the new MQB-platform which is the Modular Transverse Matrix. We had the opportunity to see it for the first time on the Audi A3 and will not be used for C-segment cars like the VW Golf, Skoda Ocatavia, Seat Leon and so on. The Germans want to become number one manufacturers globally, outselling the current leader, the Japanese Toyota before reaching 2018.
The principle the carmaker uses is in fact very simple. They had to build an architecture that is flexible enough to accommodate anything, from a supermini like the VW Polo to a 7-seat SUV like the one the company will introduce in the US market in around two years, so in 2015. Michael Robinet, HIS Consulting managing director says that the MQB platform could be the single most important automotive initiative of the past 25 years. The official has plans to increase its global sales to 10 million units or even more. Two out of three cars will be sold with the new platform. Analysts and the auto industry believe that the new platform might be as revolutionary as the production line Henry Ford developed. The whole process started in 2007 and over the next four years, its investment will reach almost $70 billion. Different analysts estimate an annual gross saving of $19 billion by 2019.
The carmaker will offer the MQB platform for models with longitudinally-mounted engines and the MSB for premium rear and all-wheel drive models from Porsche, Lamborghini, Audi and Bentley. In the end we can count three new modular platforms for gasoline, diesel and even hybrid units. Let us just hope there will not be a fault in a certain part and avoid a great recall campaign.
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