Volkswagen introduces the Modular
Transverse Matrix (MQB)
MQB exploits synergies in key
technologies across vehicle classes and brands
MQB makes luxury class technologies
accessible to high-volume models
Wolfsburg - 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 / 60 PS to 110 kW / 150 PS) – 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 / 90 PS to 140 kW / 190 PS).
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
Award®’ 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. On 11 February, the prize winners will be announced at the
Palais 'Thurn und Taxis' in Frankfurt, Germany, by Günther Oettinger, EU
Commissar for Energy. The anticipation grows!
