This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(October 2009) |
TheVolkswagen Group D platformis a series ofautomobile platformsfrom theGermanconcernVolkswagen Group.It has been used forlargeluxury automobiles.Originally used by theAudimarque,it is also latterly used by theVolkswagen Passenger Cars,andBentleymarques.
| Volkswagen Group D platform | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group |
| Production | 1988–2019 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Layout |
|
| Chronology | |
| Successor | MLB platform(Longitudinal Front-engine, front-wheel-drive/four-wheel-drive) MSB platform(Longitudinal Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive/four-wheel-drive) |
D1/D11
editTheD1(also known as theD11[1]) platform was based on a stretched version of theVolkswagen Group C3/C4 platform:
- Audi V8(Typ44) (1988–1991)
- Audi V8 (Typ4C) (1991–1994)
D2
editTheD2platform is an allaluminiummonocoque,based onspace frameprinciples, which helped to significantly reduce weight without being any less rigid. Audi AG refers to this type of construction as the "Audi Space Frame" (ASF). It is technically the first 'original' D platform.
D3
editTheD3platform, also employing an aluminium space frame, was used for the second generation Audi A8, A8L, and S8.
D1 (VW Phaeton/Bentley)
editTheD1platform cars (not to be confused with the earlier Audi V8 platform) share some components with the D3 platform, but have conventionalsteelbodyshell construction.
- Bentley Continental GT(Typ3W, 2004–2018)
- Bentley Flying Spur(Typ3W, 2005–2019)
- Volkswagen Phaeton(Typ3D, 2003–2016)
- Porsche Panamera(Typ3D, 2010-2016)
D4
editThethird generation Audi A8launched in 2009 is sometimes referred to as the "D4" generation A8. This model combines an aluminium Audi Space Frame (ASF) structure but no longer uses the D platform, but the Audi-developedMLB component matrix.[2]
D5
editTheFourth generation Audi A8launched in 2018 is sometimes referred to as the "D5" generation A8. This model combines an aluminium Audi Space Frame (ASF) structure but no longer uses the D platform, but the Audi-developedMLB Evo.
References
edit- ^"Audi V8 (D11/4C) – Technische Daten".Motor Klassik(in German). Archived fromthe originalon 6 January 2013.Retrieved30 June2009.
- ^Mathioudakis, Byron (2 December 2009)."Miami spice"(PDF).GoAutoNews(511): 1.
- "Im Fokus: Volkswagen"(PDF).Automobil-Produktion(in German). March 2006. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 18 July 2011.Retrieved1 October2009.
- "Audi A7 Confirmed for U.S., and S8 Model in the Works Included".Autoblog.7 December 2009.Retrieved8 December2009.
- "Bentley Gives an Inside Look at the Next-Gen Continental Included".Motorauthority.10 March 2009.Retrieved8 December2009.
- Fulthorpe, Mark (April 2002)."Europe's slight rise & anticipated decline - Auto by the Numbers - car sales, production in Western Europe - Illustration - Statistical Data Included".CBS Interactive Business UK.Retrieved1 October2009.