Volkswagen Group MLB platform

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Volkswagen Group MLB platform
2010 Audi A5 SE TDi 2.0 Front.jpg
The first generation Audi A5 was the first vehicle to ride on this platform.
Overview
Manufacturer Volkswagen Group
Production2007–present
Body and chassis
Layout
Chronology
Predecessor B platform
C platform
D platform
E platform
Successor Premium Platform Combustion (for MLB Evo B platform)

The Volkswagen Group MLB platform is the company's platform strategy, announced in 2012, for shared modular construction of its longitudinal, front-engined automobiles.

Contents

It was developed by Audi and first introduced in 2007 on the Audi A5 then, chronologically, on the Audi A4, Audi Q5, Audi A8, Audi A7, Audi A6, Porsche Macan and the second generation Audi Q7 (MLB Evo). [1] Until 2015, only Audi and Porsche were using the MLB platform. In February 2016, Volkswagen introduced the MLB based Phideon luxury sedan built and sold uniquely in the Chinese market.

Volkswagen Group markets the strategy under the code name MLB, which stands for Modularer Längsbaukasten, translating from German to "Modular Longitudinal Matrix". [2] [3] MLB is one strategy within VW's overall MB (Modulare Baukasten or modular matrix) program which also includes the similar MQB strategy for its vehicles with transverse engine orientation. [4]

While a model may be said to use an MLB platform, it is not so much a platform per se, but rather a system for introducing rationality across disparate platforms that share engine orientation — regardless of model, vehicle size or brand. Thus, MLB uses a core "matrix" of components across a wide variety of platforms — for example, sharing a common engine-mounting core for all drivetrains (e.g., gasoline, diesel, natural gas, hybrid and purely electric). The only things that are non-variable are the pedal box, firewall, and front wheel placement, as well as the windscreen angle; other than this, the vehicle can be stretched and shaped to fit any body style, size range, or drivetrain required. As well as reducing weight, the concept allows diverse models, including those from the company's various brands, to be manufactured at the same plant, [5] further saving cost. [4] Ulrich Hackenberg  [ de ], former [6] chief of Volkswagen’s Research and Development, called MB a "strategic weapon." [4]

Jalopnik said "the biggest feature is the uniform position of all motors and transmissions" and that "by fitting all motors into the same place (the company) hope(s) to cut down on engineering costs and weight/complexity when porting the car over to other models." [7] The British magazine, Car , said "the idea heralds a return to basic principles of mass production in an industry where over the last 100 years, complexity has spiralled out of control. By creating a standardised, interchangeable set of parts from which to build a variety of cars, (the company) plans to cut the time taken to build a car by 30%." [8]

Modularer Längsbaukasten

MLB B [9]

MLB C/D [13]

Modularer Längsbaukasten Evo

MLB Evo B [15]

MLB Evo C/D [16]

Premium Platform Combustion

Premium Platform Combustion
Overview
Manufacturer Volkswagen Group
Production2024–present
Body and chassis
Layout
Chronology
Predecessor MLB Evo B platform (Audi A4 / A5 & Q5)

Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) is a modular car platform for internal combustion cars developed by Volkswagen Group’s Audi unit. It is considered a further development of the MLB platform and can therefore be regarded as the third generation of this platform after MLB and MLB Evo. [17] It made its debut in 2024 with the Audi A5 (B10). [18] [19]

Platform strategy

The name of the modular platform was chosen in reference to the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), which was developed by Audi and Porsche as an electric-only platform, while the PPC is intended to serve Audi as the last newly developed combustion engine platform. The PPC shares the E³ 1.2 electronics architecture newly developed by Volkswagen subsidiary Cariad with the PPE. [20] Both the PPC and PPE for the premium segment as well as the VW MEB (electric) and MQB Evo (combustion engine) platforms for the volume segment are all to be replaced by the new highly scalable electric-only Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) across all Volkswagen brands from 2029. [21] [22] [23]

Technology

The PPC serves exclusively as the basis for vehicles with a longitudinally installed combustion engine in the mid-size and luxury class and front-wheel or all-wheel drive. A special feature of the modular platform is the further developed second-generation mild hybrid, which Audi calls ‘MHEV plus technology’. In addition to the familiar belt starter generator, a new powertrain generator with integrated power electronics is placed on the transmission output shaft. In combination with the 48-volt battery, this enables partially electric driving with up to 18 kW of power and 230 Nm of torque. The powertrain generator recuperates energy back into the battery at up to 25 kW. The battery is positioned above the rear axle and has a separate cooling circuit. Overall, the system is designed to increase the fuel efficiency. [24]

The engines used are 2-litre in-line four-cylinder petrol engines from the EA888 series, 3-litre V6 petrol engines from the EA839 series and 2-litre in-line four-cylinder diesel engines from the EA288 evo series. Only 7-speed dual-clutch gearboxes are used. Manual gearboxes are no longer fitted. [25] Instead of fake tailpipe trims as in the previous generation, only real tailpipes are fitted in response to customer feedback. [26]

Models

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Speech to the Annual Press Conference 2015". audi-mediaservices.com. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02.
  2. ↑ "Strategy "18 plus"". www.volkswagenag.com. Volkswagen AG. Archived from the original on February 5, 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
  3. ↑ "Volkswagen Group - Factbook 2011" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2012-02-09. The Modular Longitudinal Matrix is the use of a modular strategy in vehicle platforms in which the drive train is mounted longitudinally to the direction of travel.[..] This concept is already used at Audi since 2007 to develop vehicles. [section header] "MODULAR TRANSVERSE MATRIX (MQB)" - The Modular Transverse Matrix signifies the next quantum leap in the extension of the cross-brand platform and modular strategy. As an extension of the modular strategy, this toolkit can be deployed in vehicles whose architecture permits a transverse arrangement of the drivetrain components. The MQB enables us to [..]
  4. 1 2 3 Schmidt, Bertoll (August 7, 2012). "The Revolution Of The Car Industry: Kit Cars". The Truth about Cars.
  5. ↑ Ross, David (2 Feb 2012). "Volkswagen's new chassis explained". honestjohn.co.uk.
  6. ↑ "Medien: Hackenberg, Hatz und Neußer müssen gehen". vogel.de (in German). 24 September 2015.
  7. ↑ Hardigree, Matt (Feb 1, 2012). "This Is The New Volkswagen Golf". Jalopnik.
  8. ↑ Crosse, Jesse (23 Feb 2012). "Tomorrow's world: VW's new MQB platform tech". Car . Bauer Consumer Media.
  9. ↑ "Competitive Landscape Strategic Passenger Vehicles Architectures Benchmark" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2022-06-28.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "Exclusive Sneak Peek: Audi's 2009 A4". AudiWorld.com. 20 May 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2009.
  11. ↑ "Beijing: Audi Downsizes with the 2009 Q5". Wired . 24 April 2008. Retrieved 1 October 2009. The Q5 borrows its MLP (Modular Longitudinal Platform) architecture from A5 coupe and 2009 A4 sedan and wagon
  12. ↑ "2015 Porsche Macan: A Crossover That's More Fun On Track Than The Road". Jalopnik. 21 February 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  13. ↑ "Competitive Landscape Strategic Passenger Vehicles Architectures Benchmark" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2022-06-28.
  14. ↑ "04121". www.vw.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 2019-03-12.[ permanent dead link ]
  15. ↑ "May 2022 - Automotive Technology Insight | Forecasts | Industry News | Supply Chain".
  16. ↑ "May 2022 - Automotive Technology Insight | Forecasts | Industry News | Supply Chain".
  17. ↑ Biermann, Roger (2024-10-23). "Audi's All-New Premium Platform Combustion Isn't As 'All New' As We Thought". CarBuzz. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
  18. ↑ "New models, clear plan: Audi Board of Management optimistic about the future after a challenging first quarter". Volkswagen Group. 2024-05-03. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  19. ↑ Padeanu, Adrian (2024-07-16). "The Audi S5 Avant Is the Hot Wagon America Can't Have". Motor1.com. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  20. ↑ "The new Audi E³ 1.2 electronic architecture brings "Vorsprung durch Technik" to life". Audi MediaCenter. 2024-03-18. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  21. ↑ "Volkswagen Group taps into new profit pools with sustainable mobility". Volkswagen Group. 2023-09-04. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  22. ↑ Kane, Mark (2024-07-11). "Volkswagen ID.Golf Postponed To 2029 As More Delays Mount: Report". InsideEVs. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  23. ↑ Pappas, Thanos (2024-07-15). "VW To Postpone Launch Of Next-Gen EVs Due To Software Problems". Carscoops. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  24. ↑ Wilkinson, Luke (2024-07-16). "Reinventing the wheel: how Audi's new MHEV Plus system works". carmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  25. ↑ "The new Audi A5 models: modern sportiness meets premium proportions". Audi MediaCenter. 2024-07-16. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  26. ↑ Lang, Patrick (2024-07-18). "Audi bringt Verbrenner mit echten Endrohren: Nie wieder Fake-Auspuff !!!". auto motor und sport (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-19.
  27. ↑ Pappas, Thanos. "2026 Audi A6 Avant Debuts March 4 But It Might Have Already Leaked". Carscoops. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
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