Beginning of New Era: Volkswagen Introduces the Modular Transverse Matrix (MQB)

[George@VWvortex]

This week Volkswagen is holding a technical briefing in Wolfsburg detailing the revolutionary nature of its new modular transverse matrix (MQB). Our own Jamie Vondruska is in Germany and will be filing a full report on this but in the meantime we wanted to share a press release that corresponds to the event he's attending and details some very cool aspects about this new hardware that will underpin the new Golf 7, Audi A3, Audi TT, etc., etc.

[source: Volkswagen AG]

Wolfsburg, GERMANY: This year, the Volkswagen Group will be introducing the Modular Transverse Matrix – the German acronym is MQB (Modularer Querbaukasten) – 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 (60 to 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 new EA288 engine series (90 to 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 a detrimental effect. 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 the 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, the 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.

[IloveMyCar32]

Does this mean that with significantly lower production costs, overall vehicle prices will be reduced?

[Max_O]

Extremely smart for cost savings.....however the first thing that came to mind was the uniform mounting platform for the engines....which possibly means easier engine swaps.

[joedubbs]

good stuff, hopefully this means they wont have to cheapen down cars for the US anymore (like the mk6 jetta). Really smart strategy. And yeah, crazy.. you could pretty much swap one of several engines over, extra work for diesels but still.

[A216VCTi]

Exactly! Imagine putting a porsche 3.6tt in a GTi?

[dub_IN]

Except, this doesn't encompass Porsche. Last I checked they are still putting the engines in the back. Of course with enough money anything is possible.

[155VERT83]

Great. When is the dang Scirocco coming back to the US?

[Boosted2003!]

Saugmodul mit integriertem Ladeluftkuhler = Intake module with integrated charge air cooler

[ncgr12]

Does this mean that with significantly lower production costs, overall vehicle prices will be reduced?

I would rather they use this to become more profitable. Maybe future Golf/GTI/Golf R models can keep their premium design and be sold in the USA at something better than a loss.

[NeoAtreides]

I think I liked the body work on the MkVI Golf better.

But seriously, this is a very good move in terms of cost-savings. The modular platform is also an incentive to bring more options to the US, since they will be useful across a wider range of VW and Audi cars. Hopefully, it will offset the conditions that have developed into such large price increases (for the same stuff) between the beginning of the MKV generation and our third model year with the MKVI generation.

My concern is with the current trend of turning everything into a mobile iPod...these cost savings will probably disappear into piles of useless electronic junk that one will have to buy to get such civilized driving-experience centered options as heated seats, bi-xenon headlamps, leather seats, an upgraded stereo, and a high-end instrument cluster. I don't mind a decent telemetry system, but there is a limit that VW is fast approaching, and every other German manufacturer is crossing with the upcoming generation if they haven't already. It's getting harder to find a car with a manual transmission and high-end options.

[Scirocco]

Saugmodul mit integriertem Ladeluftkuhler = Intake module with integrated charge air cooler

Please tell me that this is not the new dash for all models. People complain about the Tiguan dash enough. I hate the round AC vents in ours compared to the ones in my Rabbit. The design of the Tiguan blows right into the eyes drying them out.

[computernerd]

Does anyone else notice the numb ride quality of the MQB? or am I just crazy. I Just find the MQB is teetering towards more japanese feel than german, in ride quality. I have driven (hard) the PQ series and MQB side by side. The PQ series seems to mold to the corner and wanted more speed. Where the MQB is so stiff and and lifeless in the corners, suspension seems to be doing all the work. Has anyone else experience the same?

You either work for VW or you are indeed crazy. I don't believe that there is a vehicle available for sale yet that uses the MQB platform. The first will be the Audi A3 which hasn't even been shown yet.

[Snaeper]

Exactly! Imagine putting a porsche 3.6tt in a GTi?

I'm afraid we'll still have to dream about that one.

I would rather they use this to become more profitable. Maybe future Golf/GTI/Golf R models can keep their premium design and be sold in the USA at something better than a loss.

I agree completely and considering all of the luxury content they're going to be pumping into these cars, I can only assume that that's precisely what they'll be doing. We'll see the same prices... but with insane amounts of standard features that other brands can only dream about putting in their cars.

And I hope the Jetta can be made with a proper rear suspension and rear brakes again.

Does anyone else notice the numb ride quality of the MQB? or am I just crazy. I Just find the MQB is teetering towards more japanese feel than german, in ride quality. I have driven (hard) the PQ series and MQB side by side. The PQ series seems to mold to the corner and wanted more speed. Where the MQB is so stiff and and lifeless in the corners, suspension seems to be doing all the work. Has anyone else experience the same?

Can I have some of what you're smoking? (Your username made this seem like the only sensible response to what you're written.)

Please tell me that this is not the new dash for all models. People complain about the Tiguan dash enough. I hate the round AC vents in ours compared to the ones in my Rabbit. The design of the Tiguan blows right into the eyes drying them out.

Considering that's a Mk5-esque looking steering wheel, I'm going to say that's just an example dash they used. Also, I wish you hadn't quoted that image... it's very large.

[!monkey]

i hate new cars

[Geekengineer]

Great. When is the dang Scirocco coming back to the US?

Hmmm... if this really is a totally awesome modular system, wouldn't you just be able to do a simple body swap?

[Mattymcg112]

Ha! And I thought Mk2's were like playing with lego! This is a serious swing to putting me in a new car in the future though. Now only if they would make an FR platform car. I'm having trouble deciding on the new FT86 chassis or a new GTi, but stuff like this is bringing me back around to the FF side of things. The Mk6 is already a beautiful car inside and out.

[85GTI]

This MQB makes my brain hurt.

[definition56]

Hmmm... if this really is a totally awesome modular system, wouldn't you just be able to do a simple body swap?

I doubt this to be the case. From the write-up and the images this looks to be more of a chassis system that can incorporate many different wheel bases, overhangs, interior capacities, etc. For different cars I'd imagine there having to be different mounting "brackets" for body parts, chassis stiffening components for longer wheel bases, etc.

I'm confused though as to how this is totally different thinking from what they currently offer in their cars as many share the same platform already. VW as a whole has always been more "modular" than other brands. In my eyes, this seems like another way to sell an old idea (that they currently practice) to the public by making them seem more "innovative" as a company. I dunno...it will be interesting to see how this plays out but it still seems like a midnight sales pitch for the new, latest and greatest invention.

C'mon...modular transverse matrix? MQD? Sounds like another Turbo Encabulator.