Automobile platform
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An automobile platform is a shared set of major components common to a number of different cars / automobiles, often from different, but related marques. Many vendors refer to this as a vehicle architecture. Monocoque body construction, and front wheel drive together lend themselves particularly well to platform related designs within a corporation.
Originally, a "platform" was a literally shared chassis from a previously-engineered vehicle, as in the case for the Volkswagen Beetle frame under the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. The first generic platform to be shared among a number of vehicles was the Ford Fox platform of the 1970s.[citation needed] In the 1980s, Chrysler's K-cars all wore a badge with the letter, "K", to indicate their shared platform. In later stages, the "K" platform was extended in wheelbase, as well as use for several of the Corporation's different models. GM used similar strategies with its "X" platform which debuted in mid-1978 in-initially-four of GM's divisions. Subsequent to that, GM introduced its "A" bodies for the same four divisions...using the same tread width/wheelbase of the "X" body plaform, but with larger body work to make the cars seem larger, and with larger trunk compartments. They were popular through the '80's, primarily. Even Cadillac started offering an "X" body model..the Cimmaron, a much gussied up version of the other four brands' platform siblings. A similar stategy applied to what is known as the N-J-L platform...arguably the most prolific of GM's efforts on one platform. Once more, GM's four lower level divisions all offered various models on this platformk throughout the 80's and into the '90's.
Today, platform sharing may be less noticeable, however, it is still very apparent. Vehicle architectures primarily consist of "under the skin" components, and shared platforms can show up in unusual places, like the Nissan FM platform-mates Nissan 350Z sports car and Infiniti FX SUV. Volkswagen A platform-mates like the Audi TT and Volkswagen Golf also share much of their mechanical components but seem visually entirely different. Volkswagen Group and Ford Motor Company have both had much success building many well differentiated vehicles from many marques, from the same platforms.
Key mechanical components that define an automobile platform include:
- Floorpan, the collective pieces of the large sheet metal stamping which serves as the primary foundation of the monocoque, of most of the structural and mechanical components (still often informally refered to as the "chassis")
- Wheelbase, the distance between the front and rear axles
- Steering mechanism and type of power steering
- Type of front and rear suspensions
- Placement and choice of engine and other powertrain components
[edit] See also
- list of Chrysler platforms
- list of Ford platforms
- list of GM platforms
- list of Mazda platforms
- list of Volkswagen Group platforms
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