Automobile platform
A platform called for automobiles a technical basis on the externally different models. Connects a chassis with a wheel on the inside to form a unit, which has little effect on the skin ( body) of a vehicle. On the platform technical components such as engine or transmission can be assembled in a modular system, so that individual technological developments can be used in several models. Thus, the development cost per model are reduced.
- 3.1 car 3.1.1 DaimlerChrysler
- 3.1.2 DaimlerChrysler / Mitsubishi
- 3.1.3 Fiat
- 3.1.4 Fiat / PSA
- 3.1.5 Fiat / Ford
- 3.1.6 Ford 3.1.6.1 See also
- 3.1.7.1 GM / Fiat
- 3.2.1 GM / Suzuki
- 3.2.2 Volkswagen and Ford
- 3.3.1 DaimlerChrysler / Volkswagen
- 3.3.2 Fiat and PSA
- 3.3.3 PSA
- 3.3.4 Renault / Nissan
- 3.3.5 Renault / Nissan and GM
- 3.3.6 Renault / Nissan and Mercedes -Benz
Development
Touched down before the Second World War, when bodies were not self-supporting, but on a chassis frame ( chassis), the platform was independently as a technical basis. Especially in the upper class custom-made bodies of small manufacturers were common.
Differ vehicles only in equipment and small design features such as the grille, then they are identical (badge engineering). Identical vehicles are also often made with a time delay as a license production. For example, the Opel Kadett E was further built after the expiry of production as Daewoo Nexia, the Fiat Panda was available as a Seat Marbella and many old Fiat models were further produced another 20 years in the Soviet bloc.
This is associated with a piece of cheap production cost of the items. Further, development costs can be saved. Disadvantage in the absence of a component for reasons of manufacturing problems, strikes, etc. at a standstill almost all bands of the respective platform model. When identical vehicles only a development takes place for the exchange of the brand logo, no additional crash tests are necessary.
The technical competence must be completely understood in the design and interpretation. If, for example, a sheet metal part without consultation with the technical development of the other group brand changed, this may have a negative impact on the planned production of an automobile.
Different types such as hatchbacks, sedan or station wagon also use the same platform, which usually differs only in length. In addition, here also the body up to the B-pillar is usually identical.
Features a common platform
Platforms are often used by various brands within a consolidated group. Main features are a common platform chassis and drivetrain.
There is a smooth transition, the degree to which two or more cars the same or fall back on the same components. Typical levels are:
- Identical design: Only brand logo, grille and headlights are possibly different
- In the same Platform: Different bodies have the same fixation points so that suspension, engine, transmission etc. can be exchanged.
Example VW Golf (4th generation)
Exemplary of a platform strategy is that of the Volkswagen Group. This builds visually different models of its brands on a single platform, such as on the VW Golf IV ( built in Germany between 1997 and 2003 ) based, inter alia, for the VW Bora, VW New Beetle, Skoda Octavia I, Seat Leon I, Seat Toledo, Audi A3 8L Audi TT and have been used.
The VW internal designation of this platform is PQ34. The acronym means:
- P = platform
- Q = motor mounting position, Q = cross (from " left to right " ), L = longitudinal (from " front to back " )
- 3 = Vehicle Type A-Class ( "Golf class " ) (1 = mini, 2 = small car, 3 = compact class, 4 = middle class )
- 4 = 4th generation ( cf. Golf IV )
Analog current projects sit on the platform PQ35 Golf V. The current Passat ( 2005 model year ) is based on the PQ46 platform, the predecessor was built on PL45. Supra The other designations
The platform includes the VW Group, the following functional groups:
- Units (engine, transmission, together with storage)
- Front
- Steering and steering column
- Circuit
- Pedal
- Rear axle
- Brake system
- Fuel tank
- Exhaust system
- Wheels ( sizes)
- Tire
- Front of the car ( longitudinal carrier, wheel arches )
- Front wall (including heating and air )
- Center floor (floor front)
- Rear section ( bottom rear, longitudinal beams, wheel arches inside)
- Seat frames
- Cabling components mentioned
The remaining parts of the vehicle are divided into Hutteile and system components. The "hat " is then, among others, the bodyshell, which can vary considerably (see VW Golf V and Seat Altea). System parts are actually equal parts ( COP = carryover parts) that have been adopted, but are adapted to the Group's brand. Examples: wheel cover or the air bag module in the steering wheel, exactly the same, only different brand icon. This can lead to production problems, such as in the early days of the platform of the VW Sharan I / Seat Alhambra I / Ford Galaxy, were installed as system parts in the wrong vehicles.
Motor vehicles with a common platform
Platforms within an automotive company or a joint venture, which is often founded for this purpose Kostensparung. Different designs are only listed if they have a different brand name.
Car
DaimlerChrysler
- W / S / CL 203, C / O 209, R 171 (2000): Mercedes- Benz C-Class (T- model sports coupe ), Mercedes -Benz CLK-Class, Mercedes -Benz SLK-Class
- W / S 211, C 219 (2002): Mercedes- Benz E-Class (T- model), Mercedes -Benz CLS-Class
- W / X 164 W / V 251 (2004 ) Mercedes -Benz M-Class, Mercedes -Benz GL-Class, Mercedes -Benz R-Class
- W / C 169, T 245 (2004): Mercedes- Benz A-Class, Mercedes -Benz B-Class
- W / V 221, C 216 ( 2005): Mercedes- Benz S-Class, Mercedes -Benz CL-Class
- W / S / C / X 204, C / O 207, R 172 (2007): Mercedes- Benz C-Class, Mercedes -Benz GLK-Class, Mercedes -Benz E-Class Coupe / Cabriolet, Mercedes -Benz SLK-Class
- W / S 212, C / X 218 (2009): Mercedes- Benz E-Class, Mercedes -Benz CLS-Class
- Daimler Chrysler LX platform Chrysler 300C, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Charger, Dodge Challenger (from 2005, the LX platform in turn is based on the Mercedes -Benz 210 series )
DaimlerChrysler / Mitsubishi
- Z: Smart Forfour, Mitsubishi Colt
Fiat
- Punto2: ZFA188 Fiat Punto, Lancia Ypsilon, Fiat Idea, Lancia Musa, Fiat Palio, Fiat Palio Weekend, Fiat Strada
- Bravo: ZFA182 Fiat Bravo, Fiat Brava, Fiat Marea Fiat Marea Weekend, Marengo Fiat, Fiat Coupe, Alfa Romeo 145, Alfa Romeo 146, Lancia Lybra, Fiat Multipla, Fiat Stilo, Alfa Romeo 156, Alfa Romeo 147
- Bravo2: ZFA198 Fiat Bravo, Lancia Delta
- Tipo: ZFA160 Fiat Tipo, Fiat Tempra ZFA159, Fiat Tempra SW, Lancia Delta, Lancia Dedra, Lancia Dedra SW, Alfa Romeo 155, Alfa Romeo Spider, Alfa Romeo GTV
Fiat / PSA
- Fiat Ulysse: ZFA220: Fiat Ulysse (1st gen.), Lancia Zeta, Peugeot 806, Citroen Evasion
- Fiat Ulysse: ZFA179: Fiat Ulysse (2nd gen.), Lancia Phedra, Peugeot 807, Citroen C8
- Fiat Ducato: ZFA244/250: Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer, Citroën Jumper
- Fiat Scudo Fiat Scudo, Peugeot Expert, Citroën Jumpy
Fiat / Ford
- Fiat Panda: ZFA169: Fiat Panda (built in 2003), Fiat 500 ZFA150 (built in 2007), Ford Ka ( built 2009 )
Ford
- B2: '96 Ford Fiesta, Ford Ka, Ford Puma, Mazda 121
- B3: '02 Ford Fiesta, Ford Fusion, Mazda 2
- C1: Ford Focus, Ford C -MAX, Ford Kuga, Volvo S40/V50, Volvo C30, Volvo C70 II, Mazda 3, Mazda 5
- CD132: Ford Mondeo, Jaguar X-Type, Mazda 6
- D3/P2: Volvo XC70 S60/Volvo V70/Volvo, Volvo S80, Volvo XC90, various U.S. models by Ford
- CD3: Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, Mazda CX -7