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TheGermanautomotiveconcern,Volkswagen Group has, since the 1970s, developed a series of sharedautomobile platforms for theirmotor vehicles.[1][2]
Originally, these were identified using a simple alphanumeric system. The first letter prefix indicates thecar classification or physical size (A, B, C or D - for 'traditional' cars); followed by a number to enumerate different generations of the same class. However, more recent platforms have formally departed from this convention, although the older alphanumeric codes continue to be used informally.
These platforms may be used by one or moremarques of the Group.
| platform name | used for | notable examples | comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| A00 | city cars | Volkswagen Lupo,SEAT Arosa | This platform never developed any subsequent evolutions or generations. |
| A0 series | supermini cars | Audi 50,Volkswagen Polo,SEAT Ibiza,SEAT Córdoba,Škoda Fabia | As of 2014, in its sixth generation. |
| A series[2] | small family cars / compact cars | Audi A3,Audi Q3,Audi TT,VW Golf,VW Jetta,VW Eos,VW Tiguan,VW Touran,VW Scirocco,SEAT León,SEAT Toledo,SEAT Altea,Škoda Octavia | The most prolific platform, six generations. |
| B series[2] | mid-size cars | Audi 4000,Audi 80,Audi 90,Audi A4,Volkswagen Passat,SEAT Exeo,Škoda Superb | Another prolific platform, now informally in its ninth generation. |
| C series[2] | extended mid-sizeexecutive cars | Audi 5000, Audi 100/200,Audi A6,Audi A6 allroad quattro | Eight generations to date. |
| D series | full-sizeluxury cars | Audi V8,Audi A8,Bentley Continental GT,Volkswagen Phaeton | Six variants from five generations. Confusingly, the D series includes models using both conventional steelmonocoque construction, or the very different aluminium Audi Space Frame construction. |
| T series | vans | Volkswagen Transporter range | the early generations were retroactively named, the T1 is the oldest "platform", based on the original Type 1Volkswagen Beetle. |
Note that some designations in common use are ambiguous; i.e. in some cases the same platform designation is used for different models that donot share a common platform. An example would be theB6 designation - this is used to identify the2001-2005 Audi A4 (and the relatedAudi S4), which uses alongitudinal engine and transmission placement with a pressed steel frontsubframe; however it is also used to identify thesixth-generation Volkswagen Passat, but this uses atransverse engine and transmission placement with a very differentcastaluminium alloy front subframe.
Platforms developed by Volkswagen Group asjoint ventures with other manufacturers have designations which do not conform to the above scheme. These include:
| platform name | used for | notable examples | comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| B-VX62[2] | multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) | Volkswagen Sharan (7M),SEAT Alhambra (7M),Ford Galaxy | Joint-venture withFord Motor Company. |
| LT/T1N series | light commercial vehicles | Volkswagen LT range,Mercedes-Benz Sprinter | Second and third generations are a joint-venture withDaimler AG. |
Volkswagen Group has previously introduced an alphanumeric nomenclature for car platforms. The platform code is composed as follows:
An additional+ suffix indicates a long-wheelbase variant.
In 2007, Volkswagen Group introduced a more flexible "modular component system" architecture on which to base future platforms. Four such component systems were planned:[5] However, models developed from these modular component systems may also be identified by PL/PQ platform designations.[citation needed]
The first generation of theVolkswagen Amarok (2H) is based on a specially developed chassis, while the second generation (NF) is based on and utilises theT6.2 platform in cooperation with Ford and shares many of the same parts as the second-generationFord Ranger (P703/RA).[17]
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