Sharing platforms is now commonplace among the world’s big carmakers. The same underpinnings often feature on three or four different models, usually within sister companies such as VW and Skoda. Indeed it is Volkswagen that is set to take this sharing technology to a whole new level, with a new concept called MQB architecture. This will see the same chassis basics used on no less than 46 different models with vastly different lengths, styles and power options.

The new modular system means that it is not just restricted to cars in the same class and that the same basics can be used on a production run of some 4 million cars, spread across 46 models in the VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda ranges.

VW says MQB offers huge flexibility with a massive choice of length, width, height and bodystyles. The concept will also span three different market segments of superminis, hatchbacks and sports cars. The cars will be more economical to build, better to drive and greener, according to Volkswagen. The first car to use the MQB platform is expected to be the 2011 Audi A3.