Automobile platform Totally Explained

Everything about Automobile Platform totally explained

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.
   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. In the 1980s, Chrysler's K-cars all wore a badge with the letter, "K", to indicate their shared platform.
   Today, platform sharing may be less noticeable, however, it's 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

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