Platform? What does it mean? Was: Re: audi coupe

[Ti Kan]

Adrian Johnson writes:
> Doyt,
> >A vehicle platform is a body shell that can accept different engines, power 
> >trains, suspensions, and trim items. The platform can be modified to get 
> >the parts to work as a unit and to provide variety in the market place.
> 
> So it's more like a collection of parts that can be bolted onto a variety
> of body shells?

That overly simplistic.  You can't 'bolt' VW Passat body panels onto an
Audi A4, even though they are both of the same "B platform".

Platform really refers to the *basic* geometry and design of the unit body,
especially the lower pan, suspension pick-up points and engine mounting
orientation.  Now, the Passat does not have the same unit body as the A4
(Passat is some 4" longer and the bodyshell and window openings have
different shapes), but the bottom pan is virtually identical save
for the length, and most suspension bits are the same, except things like
spring rates and shock valving, which are tailored for each model and engine
configuration.

In the case of VW/Audi, you can think of the "platform" as a common
foundation that various models are derived from.  That foundation is often
designed with those models in mind, and sometimes a new model is added to an
existing foundation.  That foundation therefore spawns many different
cars models with vastly different unit body shells, but with some fundamental
similarities between the models.  For example, the current "A" platform
consists of VW Golf, Jetta (Bora), new Beetle, Audi A3, S3, TT and various
Seat and Skoda models.  Many of these are very distinctly different cars,
but they all have transversely mounted engines, share many same components
in the suspensions and drivetrains, etc.

-Ti
01 S4 2.7 biturbo (coming)
96 A4 2.8 quattro
84 5000S 2.1 turbo
80 4000 2.0
-- 
    ///  Ti Kan                Vorsprung durch Technik
   ///   AMB Research Laboratories, Sunnyvale, CA. USA
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