Whilst snoozing my way along the M18 yesterday, I found my eyes drawn to the cabs of hgvs as they merrily bounced along. Now, this got me thinking, car designers have to trade off ride and handling, despite all sorts of suspension advances over the years this balance still exists. So, here's the question, why is the passenger cell of the car not independently sprung/damped, or if that isn't practical enough, why aren't the seats? Surely its entirely possible for the car suspension to be set up pretty stiff to handle nicely but to have soft responsive suspension on the seats to filter the ride.

See what motorway miles do to you...

Whilst snoozing my way along the M18 yesterday, I found my eyes drawn to the cabs of hgvs as they merrily bounced along. Now, this got me thinking, car designers have to trade off ride and handling, despite all sorts of suspension advances over the years this balance still exists. So, here's the question, why is the passenger cell of the car not independently sprung/damped, or if that isn't practical enough, why aren't the seats? Surely its entirely possible for the car suspension to be set up pretty stiff to handle nicely but to have soft responsive suspension on the seats to filter the ride.

See what motorway miles do to you...

Some manufacturers have the suspension mounted on a rigid subframe which is then mounted on the body via elastomer mounts AFAIK. Car seats are tuned / designed to match the cars ride often.

Chris

Have a look at VW LT35 vans.

The drivers seat was individually suspended on one i hired.

Some trucks (Volvos) have suspended seats too

the renault magnun trucks have suspension seats, and they also have very clever hydolastic suspension which can alter it's damping rates depending on the road surface...

the renault magnun trucks have suspension seats, and they also have very clever hydolastic suspension which can alter it's damping rates depending on the road surface...

Guess which brand of car you can get the lovely suspension system on (no not rolls royce, they buy it off this company)

Guess which brand of car you can get the lovely suspension system on (no not rolls royce, they buy it off this company)

:ne_nau:

That would be Citroen then no? Don't know who actually makes the hydro-pneumatic system/components for them though? This is, I presume, who RR deal with instead of directly with Citroen? Now that would be funny if it were the case!

Steve

I might be in the minority but I would HATE a car where you had no direct feel from the suspension, where you had no direct contact from the suspension, and where the body merrily bounced away independantly from the wheels and suspension. Would make for a terrible lack of "feel" when cornering fast. Maybe even a case of sea sickness.

Also I think suspension has moved a long way in the last 20 or so years, and many modern cars manage to give a decent level of grip and feel without having to sit on the ground and rattle your teeth.

I remember well how stiff the rear suspension was on my standard mk 2 escorts, you felt the bumps as the back end went over them terribly, the modern ford focus however manages a great level of control without anywhere near so bad jolting.

Citroen have the parts made for themselves and actually supply them to rolls royce.

IIRC RR use stainless pipes rather than mild steel pipes as they can afford to due to the cars high cost. Otherwise it is the same system.

I was told this by a few people including a bloke who serviced roller suspension (Place was a citroen specialist), who has in times of need actually used the citroen part and while waiting for the genuine part to come.

I can't say this is true with 100% accuracy, but I would be fairly confident as citroen has patants on the system.

Citroen have the parts made for themselves ... citroen has patants on the system.

I've heard all this too, and independently at that.

Some manufacturers have the suspension mounted on a rigid subframe which is then mounted on the body via elastomer mounts AFAIK.

Chris

Ah, of course, I'd forgotten about that one. Interesting though.

Got to love that big citroen ride

Would be ammusing to watch them fit it to the C8 though as the kids in the back might get seasick :P