Everything You Wanted To Know About Why VW Plans To Leave Everyone Behind With The New MQB Design Architecture

Last week we had a unique opportunity to go to Wolfsburg, Germany to learn a little bit about Volkswagen Group's new MQB component architecture. Volkswagen Group brands (Volkswagen, Audi, Lamborghini, Seat, Skoda, Bentley, Bugatti, Porsche and more) comprise more than 200 individual models of cars.

The complexity involved in trying to reduce costs and the number of components, meeting exceedingly strict emission and safety standards all the while reducing waste and consumption is obviously quite huge. MQB not only represents a new car specific part platform, but also an all-new modular engine program and modular production program. With MQB VW can build any vehicle from Polo to Mid-size SUV utilizing the same assembly line. Likewise, if a factory supports MQB, then producing an Audi, Seat or Skoda product at the same facility is also a possibility. This gives VW Group brands the ultimate flexibility to build market specific trim variations and response to regional needs far quicker while reducing the overall complexity involved in supporting so many products.
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BrownsGoBack - 2/25/2012 3:08:04 AM

-2 Boost

Yeah, it's not like DSG was industry-leading innovation that took other manufacturers years to catch up or that VW mass produced direct-injected, turbocharged engines before virtually every other manufacturer. How many models with direct-injected engines does Honda sell in the U.S.?

BrownsGoBack - 2/25/2012 10:24:23 PM

-2 Boost

blah, blah, blah. The Scirocco R in Europe has 261 hp.

BrownsGoBack - 2/25/2012 10:30:20 PM

-2 Boost

VW's 2.0L Turbo motor has won the International Engine of the Year award for best 1.8-litre to 2-litre motor five times! And I don't think the Civic Si has won one comparo against the GTI. So stop talking out yer butt.

Willis - 2/27/2012 10:12:10 AM

0 Boost

"BTW, if VW is only getting 200ish hp out of their turbocharged, direct injected 2.0 that barely breaks 30mpg."

Oh my. You're making it sound as if Volkswagen are incapable of extracting more power out of this engine.

Nice trolling, fanboy.

BrownsGoBack - 2/27/2012 4:49:08 PM

-1 Boost

These torque-less wonder motors that you have to spin to 8000 rpm before they make any power have not been serving Honda well. Just one example:

"A glance at the Si's power chart reveals that at 4,000 r.p.m., which is the upper range of what you might normally explore in everyday traffic in most other cars, the Civic Si generates a meek 100 horsepower. So if you want to go faster than Wilford Brimley on a recumbent bicycle, 8,000 r.p.m. it is."

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/18/automobiles/18AUTO.html?pagewanted=all

The Germans are too smart to

BrownsGoBack - 2/27/2012 4:50:35 PM

-1 Boost

... engineer a street car that way.

BrownsGoBack - 2/28/2012 12:26:39 PM

0 Boost

"Tractor motors" that win lots of awards. What's new here? Read the article.

BrownsGoBack - 3/1/2012 4:50:47 PM

+1 Boost

I almost forgot to mention VW AG's Le Mans winning TDI technology.

knowitall1985 - 2/24/2012 4:18:40 PM

+1 Boost

It's tough to beat japan on manufacturing efficiency.

FromThePassengerSeat - 2/27/2012 11:09:48 AM

+3 Boost

HOWEVER, IT'S EASY TO REMOVE CAPS LOCK.

knowitall1985 - 2/25/2012 11:01:37 AM

+2 Boost

It's easier to talk out of your a** too....

Lemonade - 2/26/2012 3:30:39 PM

+1 Boost

IT'S EVEN HARDER TO BEAT CHRYSLER iNC IN (Searching............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Wow, Google just froze on me, but all the other websites are loading fine.

Willis - 2/27/2012 10:07:06 AM

-1 Boost

The MQB platform architecture is intelligent and has huge advantages for a firm like Volkswagen with so many different cars and products, not to mention the cost advantages of utilizing this platform. It makes financial sense and in the end the consumer even benefits since the production costs per car can be lowered.

The Toyota/Lexus fanboys and their bordering on jealousy comments need to SHUT UP here.