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Suzuki

Shigeki Suzuki, engineering director

"We offer customers, even in the small car segment, a “Fun to Drive" element. Our cars are designed to allow the steering input to be as precise as possible. Our intention is to minimise the car response time without excessive, unexpected vehicle behaviour. But we never ignore the ride comfort ability. Good suspension damping is fed back from Suzuki’s rally racing activity and means good road-holding and the ability to absorb impact forces from the road.

"We pursue mature chassis platforms to optimise handling performance and ride comfort and make effective use of electronic control without harsh interference.

"We’re developing a more optimised suspension configuration and considering the adoption of low resistance tyres to help reduce CO2. In 2012 tyre pressure monitoring systems, low resistance tyres and lighter materials for suspension, steering and brake components will contribute to CO2 reduction.

"The use of electric power steering will increase so that female and elderly drivers will find steering lighter and easier. Suzuki started sales of compact cars equipped with electric power steering in Japan in 1988. It has since extended to other production car models and has risen in the estimation of customers by improving steering characteristics improvement and fuel consumption. It’s an important technology that offers the possibility of greater use of lightweight components or cooperation control with other devices.

"With regards to brakes, ESC will spread into the small car segment. Hill hold functions will also help both inexperienced and older drivers. Brake assist functions will grown in importance as a safety feature for pedestrian protection.

"Torque vectoring will be useful to improve acceleration performance while maintaining cornering trace characteristics. Suzuki will apply it to our rally cars where it will be tested in severe conditions and will reflect well on our future models."

Shigeki Suzuki,
engineering director,
Suzuki