[Absolut Speed]

When auto designers speak of a platform (lambda, kappa), what all is that? What goes into a "platform?"

[trackbird]

Engine, transmission, rear end, attachment points, basic architecture. Just stretch the floorpan, skin it and go. It's a basic set of items that will be used. Consider the F-body. Say they wanted to build a Dodge Charger style, high performance, 4 door car. If you stretched the chassis in the rear seat area, stretched the driveshaft and reskinned it as a 4 door car, you'd have a sport sedan (of sorts) on the F-body platform. Using engineering that's already done and making small changes to suit a new project. That might be a better explanation of a platform.

When Dodge built the PT cruiser, they based it on the Neon (I believe they stretched it) and used the Neon "platform" as a basis for a new "van-like thing". It's far cheaper than building a new car. You already have axles, a drivetrain, fuel tank, plumbing, brakes, etc. Just tweak the length and add body panels.

Did that make more sense?