VW has a lofty goal of selling 10 million vehicles per year by 2018. In addition the automaker wants to close the gap between itself and Toyota. One of the automaker’s new plans is to develop four architectures that can be used across the Volkswagen Group brands, including Lamborghini, Audi and Bentley.
The reasoning behind the four architectures is that VW wants to reduce its development costs. The first new platform will be a transverse-engine architecture known as the MQB, which will be used on the small-midsized models. The platform is expected to be used for up to six million vehicles and the first models will be released in 2010.
The MHB platform is the second platform that will be used for VW’s minicars, such as the upcoming production versions of the Up! Concept. The third platform being developed will be used by VW’s mid-engined sports cars, such as the Audi R8, Lamborghini and possibly a more affordable Bugatti.
The fourth platform known as MLB is already on the road as the new Audi A4 and A5. This platform will be used for the next A6, A8, new Phaeton and future Bentley models.
By using just four platforms across the lineup development costs are estimated to be cut by as much as 40 percent.
Full Story: Motor Authority
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