The Volkswagen Group A platform is an

automobile platform A car platform is a shared set of common design, engineering, and production efforts, as well as major components, over a number of outwardly distinct models and even types of cars, often from different, but somewhat related, marques. It is pract ...

shared among

compact Compact as used in politics may refer broadly to a pact or treaty; in more specific cases it may refer to: * Interstate compact * Blood compact, an ancient ritual of the Philippines * Compact government, a type of colonial rule utilized in British ...

and

mid-size car Mid-size—also known as intermediate—is a vehicle size class which originated in the United States and is used for cars larger than compact cars and smaller than full-size cars. "Large family car" is a UK term and a part of the D-segment in t ...

s of the

Volkswagen Group Volkswagen AG (), known internationally as the Volkswagen Group, is a German multinational automotive manufacturer headquartered in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany. The company designs, manufactures and distributes passenger and commercial ...

. It debuted in 1974 and was originally based on the engineering concept of the

Volkswagen Golf Mk1 The Volkswagen Golf Mk1 is the first generation of a small family car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen. It was noteworthy for signalling Volkswagen's shift of its major car lines from rear-wheel drive and rear-mounted air-cooled engines t ...

, and is applicable to either front- or

four-wheel drive Four-wheel drive, also called 4×4 ("four by four") or 4WD, refers to a two-axled vehicle drivetrain capable of providing torque to all of its wheels simultaneously. It may be full-time or on-demand, and is typically linked via a transfer case ...

vehicles, using only front-mounted

transverse engine A transverse engine is an engine mounted in a vehicle so that the engine's crankshaft axis is perpendicular to the direction of travel. Many modern front-wheel drive vehicles use this engine mounting configuration. Most rear-wheel drive vehicles ...

s. Volkswagens based on this platform have been colloquially referred to by generation number, e.g. the first Golf version is referred to as an "A1 Golf". Often each generation is designated by substituting "

Mark Mark may refer to: Currency * Bosnia and Herzegovina convertible mark, the currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina * East German mark, the currency of the German Democratic Republic * Estonian mark, the currency of Estonia between 1918 and 1927 * F ...

" for "A", but this can be misleading. For example, the Mk1 and Mk2 Scirocco are both based on the A1 platform. Furthermore, confusion was possible with the

Volkswagen Passat The Volkswagen Passat is a series of D-segment, large family cars manufactured and marketed by the Germany, German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen since 1973, and now in its eighth generation. It has been marketed variously as the Dasher, Sa ...

, which has been produced on both the B platform alongside the

Audi A4 The Audi A4 is a line of compact executive cars produced since 1994 by the German car manufacturer Audi, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. The A4 has been built in five generations and is based on the Volkswagen Group B platform. The first ...

, as well as the A platform depending on the generation. Volkswagen Group introduced a new alphanumeric nomenclature for vehicle platforms for the fourth generation. Under Volkswagen's revised platform naming system, the "A4" platform became the PQ34 platform, and what would have been called the A5 platform was called the PQ35 platform. The platform code is composed as follows: * A letter, P, indicating a ''passenger car'' platform * A letter indicating the configuration of the

engine An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert one or more forms of energy into mechanical energy. Available energy sources include potential energy (e.g. energy of the Earth's gravitational field as exploited in hydroelectric power gen ...

: ** Q indicates a ''

'' (''Quer'' in German) * A digit indicating the platform ''

size Size in general is the Magnitude (mathematics), magnitude or dimensions of a thing. More specifically, ''geometrical size'' (or ''spatial size'') can refer to linear dimensions (length, width, height, diameter, perimeter), area, or volume ...

'' or ''

class Class or The Class may refer to: Common uses not otherwise categorized * Class (biology), a taxonomic rank * Class (knowledge representation), a collection of individuals or objects * Class (philosophy), an analytical concept used differentl ...

'': ** 3 corresponds to

compact car Compact car is a vehicle size class — predominantly used in North America — that sits between subcompact cars and mid-size cars. "Small family car" is a British term and a part of the C-segment in the European car classification. However, p ...

s ** 4 corresponds to

s * A digit indicating the ''generation'' or ''evolution'' The A platform has been superseded by the MQB platform for new models, with the exception of a few models only sold in certain markets.

A1

The A1 platform debuted on the Mk1 Golf on its launch in 1974, and continued into the early 1990s, when the last remaining models using the platform - the Scirocco and Caddy - were discontinued. A1 platform cars (''Typ'' numbers in brackets): *

(17) *

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet The Volkswagen Golf () is a compact car/small family car (C-segment) produced by the German automotive manufacturer Volkswagen since 1974, marketed worldwide across eight generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates ...

(155) * Volkswagen Jetta Mk1 (16) *

Volkswagen Caddy The Volkswagen Caddy is a panel van and leisure activity vehicle (M-segment) produced by the German automaker Volkswagen Group since 1980. It is sold in Europe and in other markets around the world. The Volkswagen Caddy was first introduced in Nor ...

Mk1 (14) *

Volkswagen Scirocco The Volkswagen Scirocco is a three-door, front-engine, front-wheel-drive, sport compact hatchback manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen in two generations from 1974 to 1992 and a third generation from 2008 until 2017. Production ended without a ...

Mk1 & Mk2 (53/53B) *

Volkswagen Citi Golf The Volkswagen Citi Golf is a right-hand drive 5-door hatchback manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen in South Africa from 1984 to 2009 as a facelifted version of the first generation Volkswagen Golf Mk1, which ceased production in Germany ...

A2

The A2 platform debuted in 1983 on the Mk2 Golf, and lasted until 1998, when the original SEAT Toledo (the first Volkswagen-developed SEAT following the Spanish company's takeover by Volkswagen) was replaced. The Volkswagen Passat B3 was based on a stretched A2 platform. The Volkswagen Corrado, while being an A2 platform car, uses some components from the A3 platform, notably the rear suspension assembly and some front suspension parts. A2 platform cars (''Typ'' numbers in brackets): * Volkswagen Corrado (53I) *

Volkswagen Golf Mk2 The Volkswagen Golf Mk2 is a hatchback, the second generation of the Volkswagen Golf and the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Mk1. It was Volkswagen's highest volume seller from 1983 and ended in (German) production in late 1992, to be replaced ...

(19E) * Volkswagen Jetta II (1G) *

SEAT Toledo The SEAT Toledo is a small family car produced by the Spanish manufacturer SEAT, part of Volkswagen Group. The Toledo name was first introduced to the SEAT line up in May 1991 being named after a Spanish city with the same name, with the fourt ...

Mk1 (1L) *

Chery A11 The Chery A11 (), also known as Fulwin, Fengyun or Windcloud, is Chery's first car. Created without government approval, it has nonetheless been the first step of Chery's success story and helped transform the Chinese automotive market from one de ...

and

Chery A15 The Chery A15 (), also known as Cowin, Flagcloud or Amulet, is a subcompact car produced by the Chinese manufacturer Chery from 2003 to 2010. A facelifted variant was called the Cowin 2 and was sold from 2010 to 2016. Overview It is based on a r ...

* Vortex Corda *

Volkswagen Jetta King The Chinese version of the Volkswagen Jetta is manufactured by the joint venture FAW-Volkswagen since 1991. In 2019, the name was split out from Volkswagen to become its own marque and the model became known as the Jetta VA3. First generation ( ...

* Volkswagen Jetta Pioneer

A3

The A3 platform was only used for two models - the Mk3 Golf, launched in 1991, and its saloon equivalent, the Vento, launched in early 1992. A3 platform cars (''Typ'' numbers in brackets): * Volkswagen Golf Mk3 (1E) * Volkswagen Vento/Jetta III (1H) The smaller A03 platform, used in the Polo (6N) is based on the A3 platform as well, and shares many components. SEAT Ibiza (6K) and derived models, uses components of both A3 and A03 platforms.

PQ34 (A4)

The A4 platform (PQ34 under the revised scheme) debuted on the Audi A3 in 1996 and went on to be used for many different models over the next two decades. PQ34 platform cars (''Typ'' numbers in brackets): *

Audi A3 The Audi A3 is a subcompact executive/small family car (C-segment) manufactured and marketed by the German automaker Audi AG since September 1996, currently in its fourth generation. The first two generations of the Audi A3 were based on the ...

Mk1 (8L) * Audi TT Mk1 (8N) *

Volkswagen Golf Mk4 The Volkswagen Golf Mk4 (or VW ''Type 1J'') is a compact car, the fourth generation of the Volkswagen Golf and the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Mk3. Launched in October 1997 for the 1998 model year, it was the best selling car in Europe in 2 ...

(1J) * Volkswagen Bora/Jetta (1J) *

Volkswagen Lavida The Volkswagen Lavida () is a compact car manufactured by the German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen. Originally launched at Auto China 2008 in Beijing, the Lavida is considered the first mass-produced Volkswagen small family car to be mainly ...

(18) *

Volkswagen New Beetle The Volkswagen New Beetle is a compact car, introduced by Volkswagen in 1997, drawing heavy inspiration from the exterior design of the original Beetle. Unlike the original Beetle, the New Beetle has its engine in the front, driving the fron ...

(1C/1Y/9C) * SEAT León Mk1 (1M) *

Mk2 (1M) *

Škoda Octavia The Škoda Octavia is a small family car produced by the Czech car manufacturer Škoda Auto since the end of 1996. It shares its name with an earlier model produced between 1959 and 1971. Four generations of the modern-era Octavia model have ...

Mk1 (1U) * Škoda Kamiq (chinese version)

PQ35 (A5)/PQ46 (A6)

The PQ35 platform was designed to be more modular than previous A platforms. For the first time, a fully

independent suspension Independent suspension is any automobile suspension system that allows each wheel on the same axle to move vertically (i.e. reacting to a bump on the road) independently of the others. This is contrasted with a beam axle or deDion axle system in w ...

was used in the rear of all A platform vehicles. The PQ46 platform is a variant derived from this platform primarily intended for larger vehicles, such as

s and

crossovers Crossover may refer to: Entertainment Albums and songs * ''Cross Over'' (Dan Peek album) * ''Crossover'' (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles album), 1987 * ''Crossover'' (Intrigue album) * ''Crossover'' (Hitomi Shimatani album) * ''Crossover'' (Yoshino ...

. A common misconception is that the PQ46 based sixth and seventh generations of the Passat, are based on the PL46 (B6) and B7 platforms. However, this

Passat has little in common with the

longitudinal engine In automotive engineering, a longitudinal engine is an internal combustion engine in which the crankshaft is oriented along the long axis of the vehicle, front to back. Use This type of motor is usually used for rear-wheel drive cars, except ...

"B6" and "B7"

PQ35 platform cars

(''Type'' numbers in brackets): *

Mk2 (8P) * Audi TT Mk2 (8J) *

Audi Q3 The Audi Q3 is a subcompact luxury crossover SUV made by Audi. The Q3 has a transverse-mounted front engine, and entered production in 2011. __TOC__ First generation (Typ 8U; 2011) Concept Vehicle: Audi Cross Coupé quattro (2007) Designed ...

Mk1 (8U) * SEAT León Mk2 (1P) *

Mk3 (5P) *

SEAT Altea The SEAT Altea is an automobile produced by the Spanish automaker SEAT from 2004 to 2015 being previewed by the Salsa Emoción concept. As a compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), the car was designed by the Italian Walter de Silva, and was launc ...

(5P) *

Mk2 (1Z) *

Škoda Yeti The Škoda Yeti (codenamed ''Typ'' 5L)ETKA, accessed 27 January 2010 is a compact crossover SUV produced by the Czech car manufacturer Škoda Auto and introduced at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, as the carmaker's first entry into the SUV market. In ...

(5L) *

Volkswagen Touran The Volkswagen Touran is a car manufactured by German automaker Volkswagen since 2003 and sold in Europe and other select markets. A compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), it fills a gap in Volkswagen's model lineup between the Volkswagen Golf, w ...

(1T) *

Mk3 (2K) *

Volkswagen Golf Mk5 The Volkswagen Golf Mk5 (codenamed ''Typ 1K'') is a compact car/small family car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen, as the fifth generation of the Golf in three- or five-door hatchback (August 2003–2008) and a five-door station wagon ...

(1K) *

Volkswagen Golf Mk6 The Volkswagen Golf Mk6 (code named ''Typ 5K'') is a compact car, the sixth generation of the Volkswagen Golf and the successor to the Volkswagen Golf Mk5. It was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008 for the 2009 model year. Volkswag ...

(5K) *

Volkswagen Jetta Mk5 The Volkswagen Jetta (A5 or Mk5, codename 1K) is a compact car, the fifth generation of the Volkswagen Jetta and the successor to the Volkswagen Bora which was manufactured by Volkswagen between 2005 and 2010, and up to 2012 in China. It is a thr ...

(1K) *

Mk3 (13) *

Volkswagen Jetta Mk6 The Volkswagen Jetta (A6) is a compact car, the sixth generation of the Volkswagen Jetta and the successor to the Volkswagen Jetta (A5), Jetta (A5). Known as the NCS (New Compact Sedan) during its development, it was released in 2010 and was phase ...

(1K) *

Volkswagen Beetle (A5) The Volkswagen Beetle (also sold as the Volkswagen Käfer, Volkswagen Coccinelle, Volkswagen Maggiolino, Volkswagen Fusca in some countries) is a small family car manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen introduced in 2011 for the 2012 model yea ...

(16) *

Volkswagen Eos The Volkswagen Eos was a sport compact cabriolet coupé produced by the German automaker Volkswagen from 2006 to 2015. Assembled at AutoEuropa in Portugal, it was a convertible only compact coupé introduced as the successor of the Volkswagen Gol ...

(1F)

PQ46 platform cars

(''Type'' numbers in brackets): *

Škoda Superb The Škoda Superb is a large family car that has been produced by the Czech car manufacturer Škoda Auto since 2001. The first generation of the modern Superb, produced from 2001 to 2008, was based on the VW B5 PL45+ platform. The second gen ...

(3T) *

Volkswagen CC The Volkswagen CC, originally marketed as the Volkswagen Passat CC in its first generation, is a variant of the Volkswagen Passat that trades headroom and cargo space for a coupé-like profile and sweeping roofline. The CC debuted in January 200 ...

(3C/35) *

B6 & B7 (3C) *

Volkswagen Passat NMS The Volkswagen Passat for the North American and Chinese markets (internally designated ''Volkswagen New Midsize Sedan'', or ''NMS'' while under development) is a mid-size sedan that debuted in January 2011 at the Detroit Auto Show. It replaced ...

(A32/A33) *

Volkswagen Sharan The Volkswagen Sharan is a seven-seater minivan that was produced by the German Volkswagen Group and built at the AutoEuropa plant in Palmela, Portugal, with a front-wheel-drive version across two generations, from 1995 to 2022. Through badge engin ...

Mk2 (7N) *

SEAT Alhambra The SEAT Alhambra is a seven-seater minivan that was built from 1996 to 2020. It was manufactured under the SEAT brand from June 1996 onwards at the Volkswagen Group's AutoEuropa plant in Palmela, Portugal. It shares the same platform with the Vo ...

Mk2 (7N) *

Volkswagen Tiguan The Volkswagen Tiguan () is a car produced by German manufacturer Volkswagen since 2007, sitting between the smaller T-Roc and the larger Touareg in the company's crossover SUV range. The first generation is based on the PQ46 platform, while ...

Mk1 (5N)

References

;Notes ;Bibliography * *

External links

Volkswagen Group corporate website
{{Volkswagen Group brands A