mlinn1967

Is Active Suspension the same thing as Adaptive Variable Suspension? If not, can someone explain the difference? How are either of those different from traction control with Independent double wishbone and independent multi-link rear suspension.


Thanks!

Sodium

Active suspension uses an electric motor to preload the sway bars during hard cornering. This basically makes the stock sway bar act as a thicker sway bar during hard cornering (i.e. less body roll), but without the comfort penalty that can come with thicker sway bars the rest of the time. The active suspension system is always on and requires no input from the driver.

Adaptive variable suspension allows the driver to adjust the damping rate of the shock absorbers for either comfort of sporty driving. Basically, the system just uses adjustable shocks, and electronic actuators to adjust them.

Traction control uses the wheel speed sensors to detect when one of the driven wheels is spinning faster than the other one – this only happens when one wheel loses traction. The TC then applies the brakes to the slipping wheel, which sends more power to the wheel with better traction. Also it can cut the throttle to stop the skid.

Double wishbone and multi-link are just two different setups for connecting the wheels to the car.

Hope this clears things up, but let me know if you have any more questions!