Cars That Share The Same Platform [Part 2]

Developing a new car from the ground up is a lot more than just research and development. There are several variables that play a vital role in deciding the specification and configuration of a brand new car. Possibly the most important variable that can make or break the researching process of the car is the end cost. So, to keep these the research and development costs down, carmakers use one platform for many cars.

Of course, these platforms are tweaked to cater for the cars needs, the basic design and the structure remains the same. That said, the carmakers share the platform not only in their various cars but also with other carmakers. So, to see them in detail, here are 7 cars in India that share the same platform.

1. Nissan Kicks & Renault Duster
   

   

   Starting the Nissan and Renault alliance, the two cars that share the same platform are the Nissan Kicks and Renault Duster. On the design part, both definitely look a lot different on the outside, but they do share the same platform. This is evident as both the cars, offer exceptional ride quality on the bad section of roads. But because of a plusher suspension Kicks offer a little better ride.

   

2. Toyota Innova & Toyota Fortuner
   

   

   The pair of vehicles that belongs to two different segments but still shares the same platform is Toyota Innova and Toyota Fortuner. Both the top-selling cars from Toyota are underpinned by the IMV platform. Not only the basic chassis, both the cars also share the same naturally aspirated petrol engine.

   

3. Maruti Suzuki S-Cross & Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza
   

   

   Another unusual pair of vehicles that get the same underpinning is the Maruti Suzuki S-Cross and Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. Why usual, you may ask? Well both the cars are different when it comes to dimensions. It is the S-Cross that is wider and longer but Vitara Brezza is a little taller. Keeping that away, in the typical Maruti fashion, both the cars also share the same 1.5-litre NA petrol engine.

   

4. Volkswagen T-ROC & Skoda Karoq
   

   

   Even the German carmakers share one platform with their plethora of cars. Here in India, the other couple of cars to be part of this trend is the Volkswagen T-ROC and Skoda Karoq. Both of the cars in India came via the CBU route. This means they were priced a lot higher than their competition. But both the cars being an import, allowed the Indian customers to buy a Euro-spec vehicle in India.

   

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5. Hyundai Verna & Kia Seltos
   

   

   It’s a common sight of SUVs sharing platforms with each other, but ever wondered about a sedan sharing its platform with an SUV? Yes! In the Indian market, Hyundai Verna and Kia Seltos both are based on the K2 platform. This platform also underpins various other cars from Hyundai and Kia. That said, even the powertrain and drivetrain is common between the two cars, minus the turbo petrol engine.

   

    

In the end, two cars having the same platform is at all a negative, in fact, it helps keep the buying and researching costs down. So, these were the 5 pairs of cars that share the underpinnings.