VW MLB Platform To Underpin Next-Gen Audi Q7, Bentley SUV Among Others

Volkswagen introduced the MLB platform last year to provide a common base for a range of large SUVs and crossovers from brands within its expansive group, which consists of Audi, Bentley, Porsche, Lamborghini etc,. a couple of which have brand new SUVs making their debut in a couple of years time.

The advantage of the MLB platform (German abbreviation for Modular Longitudinal Matrix) is its modular design. What that means is, the same platform can be used by various models, with only little modification, which again is easily done.

Breaking it down further, a modular platform such as VW's MLB has few non-variable design parts, such as the front wheel placement or the engine housing etc,. The rest can be stretched, widened or made compact to suit the vehicle which will use it. It can even made from different materials to reduce weight.

In general, by having a common platform for several VW models, the MLB platform saves production cost, decreases production time and decreases complexity.

The MLB platform by itself is meant to fit full sized SUVs and medium sized crossovers, with engine placed at the front, along the length of the car and with front wheel or all wheel drive systems.

The first vehicle in line to make use of this common platform will be the next gen Audi Q7, says Autocar, due next year. The new Q7 will employ weight saving techniques such as use of aluminium to construct the platform.

The queue is pretty long indeed, behind the Q7. Following will be next gen VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne SUVs, which are scheduled to appear in 2016-17. During this time two luxury SUV models from the VW group will make their appearance, once again relying on the MLB platform. Namely, the yet unnamed Bentley SUV and the Lamborghini Urus, the latter confirmed for 2017 launch.