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Magneti Marelli

Michele Spina, R&D director SDC

"In the last years Magneti Marelli has presented new families of passive and electronic suspension products. For the passive suspension the new generation of flexible arms architectures – U- LINK, TORCS, FLECS – claims strong benefits. The performance is given by moving the elastokinematics leverage from traditional rubber bushings to flexible control arms. They make the ultimate kinematics and compliance performance possible at lower cost than existing multilink architectures.

"For electronic suspension, Synaptic Damping Control (SDC) offers a new generation of semi-active suspension designed to fit medium-low platforms better.

"The idea that there has to be a trade-off between ride and handling is looking weaker and weaker. Such systems can offer a perceptible level of performance in all the driving conditions. The driver will be offered a "tailored-system" performing according to his personal expectations. And a greater number of passenger and commercial vehicles will be able to afford continuous damping technologies.

"The new systems are designed to be cost effective, mainly using consolidated base technologies. The key will be to offer perceptible systems meeting market expectations. Market surveys show car buyers have high expectations for chassis systems.

"OEMs' marketing strategies will play a dominant role in influencing the success of these systems. System suppliers will be asked to diffuse the knowledge of these new products.

"The key in the future will be integration between the chassis systems. A cooperating approach will make it possible to step to a higher level of comfort. T he vehicle will react in real time with its integrated real time chassis systems to the changing driving scenario."

Michele Spina,
R&D director SDC,
Magneti Marelli