Are All New Cars IDENTICAL Underneath?

With so many new cars being based on the same platform, Rory Reid asks the question: Are all new cars now basically identical under their fancy bodywork? What separates one car from another? And are we being connected?
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[@AutoTraderTV]

What is the picture on Rory's hoodie?

[@msha1khy]

🤔

[@u.a.nugroho]

Hmm

[@papajimg9238]

Ice cream & pizza!

[@anonimushbosh]

His bathroom floor the night the pubs opened

[@foreyfriend145]

I don't know but, it is true that you have to make the video with that put on because you bet the Super League could last a week?. Make the RR, I'll sign up my preorder now.

[@peytonbrandt3943]

KZbin says 1080p/60fps, but my brain thinks 1080p/15fps

[@philippmayenburg7282]

microphone suddenly gets way quieter at 7:30

[@TootXB]

I think the b roll is at 60 but Rory has filmed himself artistically at 30 or 25 fps so that’s why his bits look wrong.

[@TootXB]

Saying that, at 6 mins it has smoothed out.

[@marcwilliams2870]

Very insightful Rory, I miss you and Sabine on Top Gear UK. Happy you are still doing what you love!

[@BobMonkeypimp]

He's so much better on here. He was wasted on Top Gear.

[@BobMonkeypimp]

@@anonimushbosh Bit of both probably. They didn't feature him enough on TG.

[@cebelihlebiyela4050]

Sabine actually passed away.

[@goldencheese7247]

I second that.

[@goldencheese7247]

@@BobMonkeypimp true that

[@shrivenkatesh9898]

Why frames are so low

[@GY9944]

Damn, Rory you got that drip on a whole next level with that hoodie

[@Hargan]

Explaining this to non car people absolutely blows their minds... Which blows my mind. How can they not tell!

[@fran2911]

They don't know what's under the hood, nor do they care, some people know about hp, a price tag and that's it

[@kainep]

I spent years tearing VW Group cars apart and can confirm there is definitely a walk in 'costs' as you go from brand to brand. One example is sound deadening materials where you find better materials and more of it as you move up from Seat to VW to Audi to Porsche to Bentley. Also you will find Porsche do things differently then many of the other group cars - they are definitely the black sheep of the VW Group family

[@carhawara3394]

It is a fkn mess to order parts!

[@ibra1200]

these days you aren’t buying a car, you’re buying the badge that’s on it

[@Xayuap]

not even that

[@gaara4667]

@@Xayuap ?

[@VexxedSR]

*steals badge off a Ferrari* Car is now free.

[@Xayuap]

I mean brands doesn't mean anything anymore. Just almost six super powerful conglomerates corporations.

[@Xayuap]

Maybe the brand means something to the corporation who is buying it.

[@stevec6427]

The I Pace wasn't a completely fresh design, I worked on the suspension development. It takes a lot from the D7a platform, it's re-tuned and the layout changed a bit but the basic architecture came from the D7a platform, which is no bad thing because it's excellent

[@DirceuCorsetti]

I reckon that when those platforms are already paid, we'll be flooded by good electric cars. That's what I believe will bring down their cost.

[@Scotracer1987]

Good video Rory. To add more context, ~60-70% of the cost of developing a car goes in to the underbody. That is, the floor, the suspension, brakes, structural stuff for crash and of course engine and transmission. So you do that stuff once, using the "worst case" variant as your sign off and then you can go and slap the cheaper to design stuff on top to make it different and unique. It's not perfect as you well called out but it does allow loads of variety and overall less cost (which means it doesn't get passed on to the customer)!

[@vandita3695]

WHY CAN'T THIS CHANNEL GET MORE SUBS AND VIEWS???? THEY REALLY DESERVE IT 😭

[@Shyted]

I reckon it’s the name of the channel. They change it to Rory Reid and you’ll see the numbers it deserves.

[@frankwhite2]

Because he doesn’t look like Matt Watson that’s why 😕

[@bcol127]

@@frankwhite2 love Mat but so sick of the shit editing and memes that I’ve unsubbed from carwow

[@Shyted]

@@frankwhite2 find matt Watson too annoying.

[@irGuilty]

@@frankwhite2 I like Matt but he is a bit gimmicky now, the views Matt gets is more down to the content (drag races etc) than the personality

[@olig719]

Beside your amazing knowledge of cars and very pragmatic attitude, there is one thing I love about your channel that is part of you : your British accent. As a native Frenchspeaking Belgian, I learned English with American teachers and got very disappointed when confronted to the various accents of UK except the Queen’s English. I never need subtitles for US channels nor do I for yours. I don’t know how your accent is considered in UK but I definitely love to watch your video’s for this reason as well. Your pronunciation is clear, your wording is precise and yet all but American. Thank you for introducing me to British pronunciation. A real pleasure.

[@oscardominguez1680]

Thanks for your content! Way more interesting than the rest of channels and happy to see more people except me understand all this

[@777VIV]

Our Lord and Saviour Rory Reid. Best reviewer out therrrre

[@BobMonkeypimp]

It's the engines for me. Used to get excited at what interesting engine a new super/performance car had. Now they just put the same engine in so many cars.

[@BigUriel]

That's kind of always been the case. Cars that don't share their engine options with any others have always been rare. None of this is news, manufacturers have simply become better at it.

[@BobMonkeypimp]

@@BigUriel Not as much as modern times. Most manufacturers just whack an AMG engine in nowadays.

[@gottliebdee263]

@@BobMonkeypimp Like what? Name a few manufacturers that do that for me won't you please?

[@BobMonkeypimp]

@@gottliebdee263 Every new Aston Martin car. The Pagani Zonda & the Pagani Huayra.

[@hamzab3659]

@@BobMonkeypimp then it just shows that an AMG engine is THAT good ! As long as it’s versatile enough to suit multiple car types , I don’t think there is anything wrong with it , especially in our times where big engines disappear in lightning speed!

[@peterhermina656]

One of the biggest advantages of platform sharing is the ease to certify a lower volume car for emissions, safety, and other regulations.

[@TheCarKrazeOfficial]

The first thing I thought of when I read the title was “bmw Supra”

[@F1ll1nTh3Blanks]

Most VW group cars and GM and Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot and Geely.

[@leggomyweavo]

Same 😂 followed by the Macan/Q5

[@yes8032]

@@F1ll1nTh3Blanks don’t forget Toyota/Lexus Kia/Hyundai BMW/Mini Cooper

[@bottomtext5872]

@@yes8032 It's almost like they're owned by the same brand

[@ai7333]

And the “audi urus”

[@mohityadav-ju2qy]

Is video strutting only for me or is anyone else also facing the same issue?

[@EVERYTHINGBMW]

I think it's your Device 👀mine is perfectly fine

[@Somehandle16]

same, only when its Rory the frame rate drops. B-roll shown was smooth.

[@troyr3478]

That jumper is freeesssshhh!!

[@abej3865]

This was one of the best videos I've ever seen 👏

[@thesure1]

Keep this up Rory, you may be the only petrolhead who gets it. Sandy Munro has a five video review of the ID.4

[@rogerstarkey5390]

He still prefers Tesla.

[@furhanpatil5731]

1:30 In India the bus and truck body are still build by after market bodybuilders and not by the company. They just provide the chasis with engine, electrical components and a driver seat.

[@theduke1066]

Great video Rory. Short, sweet and to the point 👍🏽

[@upperlowerclass]

A Lamborghini Urus is basically a dressed up Audi Q8. It astounds me that many car enthusiasts and wacky fans will use mental gymnastics to deny this reality. These people get offended and convince themselves that these are two entirely different vehicles. Nah, they’re basically the same. Go ahead and call the Urus an RSQ8 if it makes you feel better. Great content, Rory!

[@ernest7420]

Great and insightful info RR, which is why I choose an Audi SQ7 over a Bentayga for half the money

[@krugmeup2162]

You can afford the bentayga but you bought the Audi? You’re sticking with that story?

[@pdrawmer]

Great video, liked this one Rory. If you can, please explain why BMW were ambitious enough to develop a new platform for the i3, which worked really well; only to NOT develop it into a new range of models as battery performance increased?

[@AutoTraderTV]

I think BMW see its future with more mainstream-looking cars. Perhaps the I3 platform isn’t versatile enough to accommodate much variety. -R

[@BigUriel]

The i3 is effectively a carbon fibre chassis car. The machinery that makes steel or aluminium components can easily be modified to make slightly different shapes. They can also make parts very quickly and efficiently which lets you use the same machine to build parts for many cars in very little time. But carbon fiber chassis have to be made in purpose built molds, that can't be used to make more than one shape, and the curing process itself is very slow by manufacturing standards. It's not a technology that lends itself to making a variery of different parts nor high volume production. So in short, any BMW i car is a whole new platform in itself. BMW were ambitious and took a chance with the i3 but it hasn't really turned out to be very profitable, turns out people talk a big game about wanting light weight affordable electric cars but then don't put their money where their mouth is, 5 in 6 people on the market for a small BMW will buy a 1 series instead.

[@ruzzelladrian907]

The consequence of using the common VW platform for the Bentley Bentayga is the lack of short overhangs and good dash-to-axle ratio. It doesn't have good rear-wheel drive proportions. It appears like a front-wheel drive car because of how close the wheel arches are to the body.

[@richardb6305]

Good video, can you do a video showing a dive into autotrader website and show us what car/platform you’d buy for £10k, £15k etc. Highlighting good drivetrains etc. and ones to avoid.

[@stmoerman9905]

It makes de Aston Martin DBX so unique, they developed a totally new platform from scratch in a even totally new factory and it results in a brilliant car.

[@paulthomson9014]

It's horrible though , same as every other suv .

[@richardike2342]

Interesting information, Mr. British black. I knew the Bentley Bentayga, Audi Q7, Lamborghini Urus, and Porsche Cayenne shared the same platform. But I did not know VW was that extreme in using the principle of platform sharing.

[@eriktempelman2097]

Great video! Platform sharing also happens with commercial vehicles i.e. trucks. Renault Midlum and DAF LF have the same BiW for their cabins, for instance.

[@GazderVarun]

That was lovely. Have a request. Could you please address, newer model bmw cars being sold with older engines in India, where we pay almost double the price than what it would cost in the uk.

[@keirbourne5323]

I work for Bentley and as nice as our cars are, I just can't ever get excited about the bentayga. At a glance it's just an Audi Q7. Same with the Urus, I've seen a couple now and they can't ever escape the B-pillar line of the Q7. To most buyers, they don't ever see it, but if you are the kind of person who can recognise most cars by their shape, then these can't ever feel like anything more than the 'original' they're based on.

[@Beorn.]

I am so pleased that not all manufacturers are using a platform such as VW's. A lot if not most ev's are way too low on ground clearance for me to even consider buying one. We don't all live in cities. For me ground clearance is way way above "sporty handling" which to be honest I care very little about and not a good idea when the police are operating a zero tolerance policy (which I support) on speed.

[@Jauzaah]

I think the facecam file is in a wrong format or something. The fps doesn't match the rest of the video:(

[@bovedli]

I actually didn’t learn all that much. As an owner of a first gen Cayenne Turbo, i would’ve wanted to hear about more elaborate differences. Because I obviously don’t like when some people tell me my car is a VW. No. It has a twin turbo V8 manufactured by Porsche with 500 horsepowers. The air suspensio I have doesn’t come with any of the touaregs and not even all cayennes. I mean this is just my involvement in the subject, and I think the video would’ve been much more complete if you talked about 3-4 minutes longer about the differences of these cars, such as the Taycan and the Audi E tron GT. They’re very similar, but very far from being actually the same car.

[@johnsim3722]

The problem with platforms is British motoring journalists. They're quite happy to gloss over VAG sharing their platforms, but as soon as the likes of Jaguar shared with Ford they never ended criticising it. Same with Aston using the design data from the Ford V6 to get a start on doing a V12. An engine that Ford spent how much on developing and Aston got all that information for free - no downside. Yet, the British motoring press criticised anything British that made use of other parts, whilst ignoring any other marques.

[@TheACed7]

A Porsche is a Porsche , while a Skoda is a Skoda - regardless if they share the same underlinings the final tune-up is done separately and it is what sets apart one VAG brand from another. This ensures product quality and thrusts VAG into not relying on spare parts being a key revenue generator. Still , pre-existing ICE modules are great for hybrid powertrains and I am extremely hyped for them , the only downside being you get the same car as before but only more complex - more stuff can go wrong. That’s why brands like Mercedes shouldn’t jump right in into the EV market without proper preparation: they’re lining themselves up for disaster if they end up building up the complexity of the vehicle instead of taking advantage of the ‘simplicity’ of an EV.

[@pereldh5741]

What about the Giorgio platform from FCA / Stellantis.. As expensive as anything, with huge gaps in the Fiat & Lancia & even Maserati portfolio’s, they decided to make 2 cars out of it. Two! Giulia & Stelvio. The Grand Moneypit called FCA.

[@PhilN2K]

Is it just me or is the recording of rory talking in like 20fps?

[@michaelflinn7784]

Unfortunately you are right. Cars are not fun or desirable anymore. They are simply appliances.

[@darreny8900]

Great vid Rory although I'd disagree with the 'are you being ripped off' bit with VAG group products. Relative to other manufacturers, VAG save considerably more due to Skoda, SEAT, VW and Audi sharing virtually everything. Yet, their cars aren't the most reliable (quite mediocre) and they still had to resort to emissions defeat devices and now the shameful mess with their SOS systems. Saving tons of money on platforms should go with higher investment in engineering and the supply chain but this doesn't happen. The Japanese and Koreans manage significantly higher reliability with less platform sharing because they value quality engineering more than soft touch plastics.

[@PaulsViewsReviews]

This is one of those things that you kind of know but it's great to get the specifics. Great video!

[@red-nb3lj]

This true, but a lot of people still choose car over logos and theirs Prestige value. Even 2 cars have same engine, power, safety and so on and it cost almost 2/3 from each other.. People will still choose the expensive one in the name of class and Prestige

[@wasdwasdwwasd]

Love the hoodie, one thing to note is that pretty much all Audis A3 and above (barring the R8 and e-tron GT) use the MLB in addition to the big SUVs and the Macan.

[@papajimg9238]

Great video!! On the other hand, a Rory platform could only have built 1 unique Rory!!

[@furhanpatil5731]

Suzuki baleno- Toyota glanza, Suzuki vitara brezza- Toyota urban cruiser, vw polo- skoda fabia, vw vento- skoda rapid, Reanult duster - Nissan terrano and the list goes on.....

[@jhorvat8478]

they are in so much better condition cars with shared chassis, and parts to service and maintain them so much affordable.. you do not have wait at service or repair, for longer then 1-2 days.. like in other brands where you have wait for weeks to came parts

[@DarkOracleOfDeath]

It's not a complicated transition. All companies need to do is to focus on what matters for us, the current generation. And I don't care about how it drives, how it looks, the "feeling". All I care about are 2 letters: UX. That's it. If it drives itself even better.

[@Ha-xv1gf]

Great presentation . I am getting an expensive right off with standard platform.. 🤔🤗

[@anonimushbosh]

I think the GLA and other adapted cars were primarily to test & tweak the new technology without too much of a fanfare. If you remember they weren’t really promoted heavily either.

[@TYH4Cars]

more car companies should start making cars with an exoskeleton like the tesla cybertruck

[@WilliamMarshall-kd3gx]

Some of the best automotive content on KZbin!

[@MyDagfinn]

This post was excitingly good, thank you. More so, in such a dull world your colourful appearance a great plus to the content. This gave me an appetite for wanting to know more of the specifics of the platform, hence would love if you made one more nitty gritty about the specifics.

[@eamonnmcdermott1939]

Great video, love to see more of these!

[@BARATTI99]

Such a great journalist. You can feel the passion and the knowledge

[@GodLike_1]

I always wonder why some cars resemble each other so much, I thought it was manufacturer copying manufacturer only to learn that they are working together on such a wide scale, thanks for the knowledge and great vid.

[@Salty3439]

Very true, Peugeot are using Opel (Vauxhall) engines and vice versa

[@Marty210268]

Top hat In automotive design, the top hat is one or more vehicle upper body structures that can share a common platform. I love this term. :-)

[@michaelloach9461]

Great vid Rory. I like that my 2010 Audi S5 uses the same engine with many of their range. To me it means they are confident with the engine & parts are available with ease. The Hyundai Kona electric is on the Kona platform. Good, no many changes need to be made. Tesla! New body, new chassis, new everything.There are going to be mistakes.......which there are! All the best.....

[@menaseven9093]

Nice info Rory, car manufacturers use the same platform on different car bodies, makes, and models to save money. Only car enthusiasts who watch car videos and read car magazines and websites will know about that, the average consumer will never know that information.

[@cbb8678]

I'd like to thank Rory for this outstanding helpful review cause we all think that all these cars come from different platforms. I am really chocked (positively) to learn that Orus, Audi are the same. Now, I'd like to ask this question to Rory: Are Lexus CT and Prius from the same platform ? Whant about Toyota Corolla?

[@fasiuddiin]

unless and until they under one company they technically are same.

[@nightman8612]

Very cool! Even more insight of what defines a platform is very welcome. Cheers.

[@MIsa-iq4sj]

Yes I heard shared platform 20 years ago and the VW group is king of shared platform.

[@jiasd123]

What's up with the frame rate?

[@trevorsutherland5263]

From the SAME manufacturer, yes to a significant degree they are very, very similar. However among different manufacturers there are HUGE differences. For example the popular Kia Telluride is a copy visually of the popular Volvo XC90; however that copy is only skin deep. Put the Volvo on a lift and there is $2000 of hardware at each wheel that you'll never see on a Telluride. That's why one costs $33K and the other $53K.

[@l2etranger]

And the w16 engine for Bugatti. Or, like in the US with the Big Three: Chrysler, Ford and GM. They have each their own sub-brands and have partnered with foreign manufacturers at different eras. It's the perfect trickle down manufacturing scheme with a learning curve almost horizontal.

[@mcfc6320]

Thanks Rory. Let's get a part 2 to this. If possible. Thanks again.

[@goldencheese7247]

Awesome vid, Rory. Super informative. 👍🏻👍🏻👋🏻

[@WillBrownCars]

Love this one Rory!

[@efath-bz8hv]

whats up with the frame rate

[@billtomo]

On an old Top Gear Quentin Wilson did a piece where he had a book, which told you what parts where interchangeable on all European models . I’d love to have a copy. MQB , multiple quirky bodies, simples.

[@AtheistOrphan]

‘Cuff link carriages for the cognoscenti’

[@bbblahoo7]

I couldn't hear the audio in vid because of how loud the hoodie was 🤣

[@andreiarama8745]

Rory,are you telling us that VAG is stealing from their clients? Or at least they charge us more than any other car manufacturer for similar products? And they did dieselgate also

[@banaana1234]

Its not stealing when you agree to give your money away :D

[@cliffb1932]

This was a very interesting video to watch. I am schooled 👏

[@jamesc1872]

Brilliant explanation of a complicated make up - thank you 👍

[@MrTibast75]

Wow I didn't know that in the old days you were buying a chassis and taking it to a carshellbuilder ! Is that why there are so many modular electric chassis builder (REE, kanou), they will provide the foundation and totally no name brands can pop out of earth and build a shell and become a car brand ;)

[@will4may175]

Galaxy, Sharan and Alhambra are also cars that were in a collab between manufacturers.

[@brandonangelodiaz8854]

I think most rich people these days buy these expensive rides, just to show their status in life. And few are those who only buy these with full appreciation and will use it always and not minding the price tag of their vehicles and not just to boast as well. Urus or Cayenne? Would still prefer the Cayenne because of the real feel of driving, even if they are only under one automotive group.

[@anhondacivic6541]

I'll 1 up you, the v8 in modern mclarens are a highly modified version of the 3.5 litre v8 from the Nissan r390

[@noneofyourbusines1476]

In the 70s, Ford did it with the Lincoln Mark5, Mercury Marquis, and the LTD, (hence the nickname Lincoln Trimmed Down).

[@Slickdon100]

Nice one Rory. I've been trying to explain this to my friends for years now.

[@oscardominguez1680]

Sick and tired of all 2.0 and 4.0

[@WillertMorris]

Thank you. Good to know.

[@Kippaxx61]

Great review Rory thanks for the insight I did not know it was so common on cars these days keep up the good work

[@Nyx2k]

Speaking of the Taycan and the E-Tron GT. The Base model Taycan is 20 thousand Euros cheaper than the Audi. Even The Taycan 4 Cross Turismo is still 6 thousand Euros cheaper than the base E-Tron GT.

[@EmirOzturk14.]

Thanks for this great content Rory.

[@cheifwhat]

Nice video. I learned something, thanks

[@vindevhunta4905]

Good lesson...

[@gottliebdee263]

I think a lot of people don't realise how difficult and expensive it is to design cars now. Is it great? Yes and no depending on your point of view. Are they identical underneath? Try ordering that 'identical' part from the car it's shared with and see how will it fits. They're trying to save money whilst giving you what you want. The place they actually end up at is usually somewhere in between.

[@operationhighjump4656]

Thank you for the vid very informative and with humor

[@achintyaaatreya]

The video is informative but a word on mid-engined sportscar platforms would be interesting and entertaining. Great content, though.

[@garethedwards2883]

Thanks Rory for another excellent video, keep them coming

[@mpsakshaypradhan8499]

A very important but educative video

[@benwells2338]

I’m cool with manufacturers sharing platforms between models. It’s economical and allows for quicker refresh model years and updates to be made if problems arise. Further, getting parts for your car is far easier to source. Thing is though, if none of that savings is passed onto the consumer...then my eyebrow is raised for sure. One thing that’s really dissatisfied me with most brands under the VW group is the cheapening of interior materials. I can kind of look the other way with VW doing this in their cars but Audi too, seems to be cheapening out now!

[@anhondacivic6541]

Wait if the urus shares the same platform as the bentayga, why don't they do a w12 version it would be way more worth it than the v8 model

[@lukerabin5079]

It does, the case of VW, means that a Bentley, while more expensive to build, is cheaper to develop, and a Bentley becomes a much bigger money spinner, and much cheaper to roll out. Think of engines like the V10, the W12, the V8 and the straight 4. Used in maybe 30-50 different versions. How much money does that save that doesn’t really benefit the buyer? End of the day, my new car ends up sharing lots of cool tech that it wouldn’t have had access to 10 years before, I guess.

[@adrianboutsias2437]

This was actually great.