Audi And Porsche Bicker About Upcoming Global Vehicle Platforms

A new report from Automobile reveals an interesting conflict between Audi and Porsche, both members of the Volkswagen Auto Group (VAG), about vehicle architectures they have developed that are to be shared among other VAG vehicles.

Porsche says the new global full-size SUV architecture Audi is developing has several inadequacies including structural and dimensional limitations, a compromised suspension system, an inadequate electronics architecture, and insufficient flexibility to accommodate different powertrains options from VW’s various divisions. On the other side of the fence is Audi, which is none too pleased with Porsche.

Porsche has been tasked with building all future sports car platforms from the Volkswagen Group, and its proposal for an architecture that will underpin the replacement for the Lamborghini Huracán that’s due in 2021 and the next-next-generation Audi R8 may not be able to accommodate the six, eight and ten-cylinder engines employed by the three different brands. Lamborghini, meanwhile, would like to follow in the footsteps of other supercar manufacturers and develop its own carbon-fiber chassis. What’s more, Porsche would like to see its new Modular Standard Platform (MSB), which will serve as the basis for the next-gen Panamera, underpin the future Audi A6, A7 and A8 sedans. Audi, however, would prefer to use its own MLB architecture.

“If we don’t call the shots here at HQ, Audi and Porsche will never get their acts together”, an anonymous Volkswagen Group strategist told Automobile. “What these guys fail to understand is that they have to cooperate, not fight each other. We need to prevent individual sports car architectures and excessive proliferation, and to make Porsche’s MSB mandatory for both brands. “Standardize the stuff that is really expensive: drivetrains, electronics, alternative propulsion systems, batteries, materials, methods, and processes. Audi and Porsche must stop fighting over architectures and concentrate on diversification by content. It’s as simple as that. And as difficult.”