In recent years, GM China Automotive Research Chassis Center has tested some models of the MQB platform, such as Kodiak, Passat, Tanyue X and so on.
According to the rigorous test standards of our Driving Evaluation Alliance ("Automobile Driving Experience Test evaluation procedures"), these models from the MQB platform have specific differences in the tests of acceleration, braking, emergency obstacle avoidance score, steering accuracy, curve driving stability, lane change stability and other subjects, but the overall handling performance also shows a certain consistency, which typically reflects the similarities and differences of different models on the same platform.
So what is the "platform" that car companies are mentioning? What is the significance of the platform for our consumers to choose and buy a car?
01
A "platform" is the infrastructure of a car
The automotive platform, in simple terms, is a complete set of automobile production lines, different models are produced on the same platform, and a complete set of processes such as vehicle design, production process, manufacturing process, and quality control can be shared, especially the chassis design and vehicle structure.
For car companies, the biggest significance of the platform is standardized and modular production, thereby reducing the R & D and manufacturing costs of car companies; for users, after the platform of car manufacturing, they can buy cars at a more favorable price, and the cost of later maintenance is relatively low.
In general, the car platform can reduce the manufacturing cost and maintenance cost of the car, and can more reflect the car company's car manufacturing concept, of course, if any link of the platform has a problem, all models produced on the platform may be affected.
Some of the most familiar automotive platforms in the market:
Volkswagen PQ35
P stands for platform, Q stands for transverse engine, 3 stands for A-class, and 5 stands for fifth generation. Features include four-wheel independent suspension (front McPherson rear four connecting rods), laser seamless welding, double-sided galvanized high-strength steel sheet, Can-bus full vehicle information control network and multi-lane coating process for all vehicles.
Representative models: Volkswagen Golf 5/6 generation, Sagitar, Tiguan, Audi Q3, etc
Toyota TNGA
Toyota's new global structure, its advanced and innovative points, in addition to R & D and manufacturing, but also includes parts procurement and matching of various departments and other processes. According to Toyota's previously advertised plan, the TNGA structure will produce half of Toyota's models, and the parts adoption rate will increase to 70%-80%.
Representative models: Corolla, C-HR, Camry, ES, NX and other models
BMW UKL
The UKL platform is a transverse front-drive platform, allowing the model to accommodate smaller, lower-cost 1.2T and 1.5T three-cylinder engines. A series of models created on the UKL platform are really volume models, which have won BMW market share and huge profits.
Representative models: BMW 2 Series, X1 and MINI all come from this platform
02
"Different" and "same" of models on the same platform
The same platform models have some roughly the same places in the "basic information" and "basic framework", such as the engine is horizontal or vertical, both are front-drive or rear-drive, or the chassis suspension structure, the main parts layout framework, etc., and many parts can also be used.
However, the platform can only determine the "basic disk" of the car, according to the different design positioning of the product (and the corresponding manufacturing costs), the specific materials, workmanship, adjustment and matching, and many details, and even the quality control standards will be different.
For example, the AO-class cars, compact cars and mid-level cars, compact SUVs, medium-sized SUVs, etc. produced on the same platform can also be seen by the naked eye in appearance; control performance, driving experience, some are more comfortable, some are more sporty, some are more moderate, there will certainly be differences, and the riding comfort is also based on the interior space, NVH, luxury atmosphere, configuration, etc. To make obvious differences.
The Audi TT and Audi Q3 are coupe and SUV models, respectively
However, they are all based on the PQ35 platform
Different brands of the same platform and the same level of models, such as Volkswagen, Skoda vs Audi, Toyota vs Lexus brother models, also have a huge difference, which is like the difference between simple, paperback and hardcover, after all, the price of the model is different.
The difference between the platform of pure electric vehicles and fuel vehicles is even greater, for example, in terms of safety that everyone is very concerned about, and fuel vehicles pay attention to protecting the front cabin engine and the rear fuel tank of the chassis, the electric vehicle needs to focus on protecting the battery located in the middle of the chassis, and the battery is the most vulnerable part of the electric vehicle.
Schematic diagram of pure electric platform, picture from the network
Therefore, at the beginning of the research and development design, the pure electric platform will focus more clearly on the safety protection of electric vehicles. The chassis structure can take into account the placement of the power battery at the beginning of the design, so that the battery pack and the body are organically integrated, and the battery pack structure is used to increase the torsional stiffness of the whole vehicle. Moreover, the larger engine compartment also has the conditions to optimize a more effective energy absorption area and reduce the impact of the collision.
03
It is necessary to understand the platform of the car before buying a car
In theory, the new car platform is more advanced and advanced than the old (previous generation), can carry more advanced technology and technology, in the body safety architecture, lightweight design, chassis specifications, NVH and other aspects will be better, the car will be of higher quality.
So when we buy a car, it is still necessary to understand the platform of the model. Take the popular electric vehicles, in the past, many electric vehicles were transitional products of "oil to electricity", and there were many imperfect places in the aspects of motor, battery arrangement, interior space, driving and safety quality. If we buy an electric vehicle from a new pure tram manufacturing platform, the probability of encountering the above problems will be relatively small.