Volkswagen Group MLB platform


The Volkswagen Group MLB platform is the company's platform strategy, announced in 2012, for shared modular construction of its longitudinal, front-engined automobiles.
It was developed by Audi and first introduced in 2007 on the Audi A5 then, chronologically, on the Audi A4, Audi Q5, Audi A8, Audi A7, Audi A6, Porsche Macan and the second generation Audi Q7. Until 2015, only Audi and Porsche were using the MLB platform. In February 2016, Volkswagen introduced the MLB based Phideon luxury sedan built and sold uniquely in the Chinese market.
Volkswagen Group markets the strategy under the code name MLB, which stands for Modularer Längsbaukasten, translating from German to "Modular Longitudinal Matrix". MLB is one strategy within VW's overall MB program which also includes the similar MQB strategy for its vehicles with transverse engine orientation.
While a model may be said to use an MLB platform, it is not so much a platform per se, but rather a system for introducing rationality across disparate platforms that share engine orientation — regardless of model, vehicle size or brand. Thus, MLB uses a core "matrix" of components across a wide variety of platforms — for example, sharing a common engine-mounting core for all drivetrains. The only things that are non-variable are the pedal box, firewall, and front wheel placement, as well as the windscreen angle; other than this, the vehicle can be stretched and shaped to fit any body style, size range, or drivetrain required. As well as reducing weight, the concept allows diverse models, including those from the company's various brands, to be manufactured at the same plant, further saving cost., former chief of Volkswagen’s Research and Development, called MB a "strategic weapon."
Jalopnik said "the biggest feature is the uniform position of all motors and transmissions" and that "by fitting all motors into the same place hope to cut down on engineering costs and weight/complexity when porting the car over to other models." The British magazine, Car, said "the idea heralds a return to basic principles of mass production in an industry where over the last 100 years, complexity has spiralled out of control. By creating a standardised, interchangeable set of parts from which to build a variety of cars, plans to cut the time taken to build a car by 30%."

Modularer Längsbaukasten

MLB B

Source:
  • Audi A5, 2007–2016
  • Audi Q5, 2008–2017
  • Audi A4 , 2007–2016
  • Porsche Macan, 2013–2026

    MLB C/D

Source:
  • Audi A8 , 2010–2017
  • Audi A7, 2010–2017
  • Audi A6 , 2011–2018
  • Volkswagen Phideon, 20162023

    Modularer Längsbaukasten Evo

MLB Evo B

Source:
  • Audi A4, 20162025
  • Audi A5, 20162024
  • Audi Q5, 20172025

    MLB Evo C/D

Source:
  • Audi Q7, 2015present
  • Bentley Bentayga, 2015present
  • Audi A8, 2017present
  • Audi A7, 2017present
  • Audi A6, 2018present
  • Audi Q8, 2018present
  • Volkswagen Touareg, 20182026
  • Audi Q8 e-tron, 20182025
  • Lamborghini Urus, 2018present
  • Porsche Cayenne , 2018present

    Premium Platform Combustion

Premium Platform Combustion is a modular car platform for internal combustion cars developed by Volkswagen Group’s Audi unit. It is considered a further development of the MLB platform and can therefore be regarded as the third generation of this platform after MLB and MLB Evo. It made its debut in 2024 with the Audi A5.

Platform strategy

The name of the modular platform was chosen in reference to the Premium Platform Electric, which was developed by Audi and Porsche as an electric-only platform, while the PPC is intended to serve Audi as the last newly developed combustion engine platform. The PPC shares the E³ 1.2 electronics architecture newly developed by Volkswagen subsidiary Cariad with the PPE. Both the PPC and PPE for the premium segment as well as the VW MEB and MQB Evo platforms for the volume segment are all to be replaced by the new highly scalable electric-only Scalable Systems Platform across all Volkswagen brands from 2029.

Technology

The PPC serves exclusively as the basis for vehicles with a longitudinally installed combustion engine in the mid-size and luxury class and front-wheel or all-wheel drive. A special feature of the modular platform is the further developed second-generation mild hybrid, which Audi calls ‘MHEV plus technology’. In addition to the familiar belt starter generator, a new powertrain generator with integrated power electronics is placed on the transmission output shaft. In combination with the 48-volt battery, this enables partially electric driving with up to 18 kW of power and 230 Nm of torque. The powertrain generator recuperates energy back into the battery at up to 25 kW. The battery is positioned above the rear axle and has a separate cooling circuit. Overall, the system is designed to increase the fuel efficiency.
The engines used are 2-litre in-line four-cylinder petrol engines from the EA888 series, 3-litre V6 petrol engines from the EA839 series and 2-litre in-line four-cylinder diesel engines from the EA288 evo series. Only 7-speed dual-clutch gearboxes are used. Manual gearboxes are no longer fitted. Instead of fake tailpipe trims as in the previous generation, only real tailpipes are fitted in response to customer feedback.

Models

  • Audi A5 B10
  • Audi A6 C9
  • Audi Q5
  • Audi Q7
  • Audi Q9