Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2005 13:55:02 GMT From: Johannes <johsnospam-sucks-sizefitter.com> Subject: Re: What does "built on the same platform" mean?
gw wrote: > > "Johannes" <johsnospam-sucks-sizefitter.com> wrote in message > news:43297A18.F8DEB101nospam-sucks-sizefitter.com... > > > > > > "jon.parisinospaml.com" wrote: > > > > > > A platform in the sense of a engineering platform is something (engine, > > > chasse, frame, ect.)which has been constructed with certain attributes > > > and operating limits. Thing can be added to that platform as long as > > > they do not exceed the limits of the core platform. So with that in > > > mind you can see how several vehicles could be designed off one > > > platform. > > > > <naughty schoolboy> > > But most modern cars don't have chassis, they have monocoque steel bodies. > > Engines can be shared between many types of cars, not necessarily from > > the same family or platform. > > </naughty schoolboy> > > Unibody construction still leaves room for "branding" of most of the body > panels - front and rear clip, door skins, etc. You will see that unibody > vehicles of the same platform usually share the same greenhouse (roof and > glass) structure. For example, the Pontiac Grand Am, Oldsmobile Achieva, and > Buick Skylark are all "N-body" cars, yet the body styling is 3 different > forms of ugly. Drivetrain, suspension, and most of the running gear are > interchangeable. Ford Focus and Volvo S40/V50 doesn't seem to have much in common.