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>> 2 February 2012
- Volkswagen Introduces the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB) This
year, Volkswagen Group will be introducing the Modular Transverse
Matrix – the German acronym is MQB – for the Volkswagen, Audi, ŠKODA
and SEAT brands. The MQB strategy represents a turning
point in the design and production of future automobiles with
transverse-mounted engines. The Modular Transverse Matrix standardises
many vehicle component parameters – across brands and vehicle
classes. At the same time, it offers access to new
technologies. The MQB extends from the A0 to the B segment.
At the Volkswagen brand, for example, it covers the following models :
Polo, Beetle, Golf, Scirocco, Jetta, Tiguan, Touran, Sharan, Passat and
Volkswagen CC. In the future, all of these models could
theoretically be produced on the same assembly line – despite their
different wheelbases and track widths. It will be possible
to produce MQB models of different brands together. The first new
vehicles to be produced based on the MQB will be the successor to the
Audi A3 and the next generation Golf.
One of the prominent
characteristics of the Modular Transverse Matrix is the uniform
mounting position of all engines. Two systems integrated in the MQB
strategy which play a key role here are the modular petrol engine
system (MOB) with the new EA211 engine series (40 kW to 110 kW) –
this range includes the world’s first four-cylinder engine with
cylinder deactivation (ACT) – and the modular diesel engine system
(MDB) with the also new EA288 engine series (66 kW to 140 kW).
| Volkswagen |
In one fell swoop, the new engine series will reduce the
Group’s engine and gearbox variants in the MQB system by approximately
90 per cent. Without any negative effects. On the contrary,
in addition to standardising conventional internal combustion engines,
the MQB also enables an identical mounting position for all current
alternative drive concepts without limitations – from natural gas and
hybrid versions to the pure electric drive. Volkswagen has already announced the launch of the latter within the MQB in 2013 in the new Golf Blue-e-Motion.
The
MQB opens up new opportunities at Volkswagen Group, allowing it to
produce high-volume and niche models at the highest quality and
extremely competitive costs over the long term and worldwide – vehicles
that are individually tailored to the requirements of very diverse
markets such as Europe, China and America, as well as emerging markets
such as India. In parallel, Volkswagen Group will
significantly reduce vehicle weights with the launch of the first MQB
model series and will introduce 20 innovations in the areas of safety
and infotainment, which until now were reserved for higher vehicle
segments.
They include the new multicollision brake; after an
initial collision, it helps to reduce the intensity of secondary
collisions by automatically initiated braking. Very recently, ADAC
awarded this system the ‘Yellow Angel’ award for innovations. The
multicollision brake will be standard equipment in the next generations
of the Audi A3 and the Golf.
Within the Group, the MQB developed
under the auspices of the Volkswagen brand is supplemented by the
Modular Longitudinal System (MLB) from Audi, the Modular Standard
System (MSB) with Porsche as the competence centre and finally the ‘New
Small Family’ – the most compact vehicle model series with the
Volkswagen up!, SEAT Mii and ŠKODA Citigo.
One indicator of the
pioneering significance of the modular systems strategy and the
innovative potential realised by these new vehicle and production
architectures is that Volkswagen was selected as one of five finalists
for the ‘Innovation Award of the German Economy – The World’s First
Innovation AwardŽ’ for its Modular Transverse Matrix. This
prestigious award for outstanding technical, scientific and
intellectual achievements has been awarded annually since 1980 by the
Economics Club of Rhein-Main and since 2011 in conjunction with the
newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. <Back
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