Nothing governs the size and shape of a car, its character and even its soul, more directly than the platform on which it rides. Spaceframe or ladder, skateboard or monocoque, it's the platform that governs how well a car's suspension and powertrain will work and even how its wheels will turn.
Which is why car makers spend hundreds of millions on new platforms, especially in this burgeoning electrification era, when so many inner components of cars are new. According to mass-production convention, platforms have to be made in tens of thousands to defray the cost of the stamping plants and the production lines that go with them. It's why one structure is often used across many models and even marques.
View Price on AmazonFor example, a car with a maximum speed of 155 miles per hour and a power output of 300 horsepower will have a very different platform than a car with a maximum speed of 200 miles per hour and a power output of 500 horsepower. Similarly, a car with a torque output of 250 lb-ft will have a different platform than a car with a torque output of 400 lb-ft.
In conclusion, the platform of a car is a critical component that determines its overall performance, handling, and character. As the automotive industry continues to evolve and transition to electric vehicles, the importance of a well-designed platform will only continue to grow.
Source: autocar.co.uk
