Skoda Auto India is exploring an all-new modular platform for the Indian market. This new platform might be used along with MQB A0 IN architecture that is currently being used for both Skoda and Volkswagen brands.
The new MQB A0 37 platform
The all-new modular platform is specially designed for emerging markets like India and South America with large-scale localisation. The new MQB A0 37 platform might be available in India only after the India 2.5 project is ready.
In a recent interaction Klaus Zellmer, global CEO of Skoda Auto, said, “We need to speed up and the challenge is that we have to decide on a new platform beyond the current platform that we use for Kushaq and Slavia. It is going to be crucial to develop competencies and keep projects going.”
He informed that Skoda Auto Volkswagen India is looking at the succession plan of the current MQB A0 27 architecture “and there’s a lot of discussion because we could use that platform (MQB A0 37) not only in India but also in Latin America and South America,” he added.
Skoda Auto is studying MQB A0 37 architecture for the Indian market. This will allow the company to transition to bigger and wider vehicles with advanced electrical and electronics architecture. The new platform is expected to be bigger than the current MQB A0 IN platform – internally known as MQB A0 27 – that underpins the Taigun, Kushaq, Slavia and Virtus in India. This platform has its limitations with dimensions, especially width and also with accommodating a battery pack for the petrol-hybrid powertrain.
The new MQB A0 37 platform for India is expected to be designed to be able to accommodate bigger-sized vehicles of various body styles and will also be able to handle petrol-hybrid powertrains which are gradually becoming a popular alternative in the absence of diesel powertrain options. Also, just like the MQB A0 IN based models, the bigger line-up underpinned the MQB A0 37 architecture will also be exported to multiple emerging markets.