Technology of the Year Active
suspension is not exactly new technology. Lotus put it
into Formula One racing in 1983 and by the early 1990s all top teams
ran their versions of active suspensions. However, application to road
cars proved to be more difficult. For decades, Citroen and Mercedes
etc. could only manage semi-active suspensions. While Audi finally
introduced the first full active suspension called "AI active
suspension" on the current A8 since 2018, it is not quick-reacting
enough to deal with all kinds of roads, so it is largely ignored by
customers. This leaves Multimatic the chance to build the world's first
successful active suspension.
Called True Active Spool Valve damper, it is built on the Canadian supplier's existing spool valve damper architecture, but has added a 48V electric motor to push or pull the damper piston with a force up to 500kg, and does that quickly enough to be adopted by Ferrari Purosangue. On the Purosanque, it allows the car to use softer springs and does without anti-roll bars, so that ride comfort is greatly improved. In corners, the 4 active dampers can work independently to achieve flat cornering, absorb bumps without unsettling balance. Ride height is also adjustable according to speed or needs. Judging from how good the Ferrari crossover rides and handles, TASV's contribution shall not be underestimated. |
| Past winners 2023 e-Fuel 2022 Lucid Air 2021 Toyota Mirai 2020 Koenigsegg LST 2019 Rimac C_Two 2018 Mazda Skyactiv-X engine 2017 GKN Twinster for Ford Focus RS 2016 iStream Carbon 2015 LaFerrari's hybrid powertrain 2014 BMW i3's LifeDrive architecture 2013 Mercedes SLS Electric Drive 2012 Ferrari 4RM 2011 Chevrolet Volt 2010 FIAT Multiair 2009 Better Place-Israel electric car plan 2008 Mercedes F700 and DiesOtto engine 2007 BMW Turbosteamer 2006 Volkswagen-Eaton Twincharger 2005 BorgWarner regulated 2-stage turbocharging system 2004 Toyota Prius 2003 BorgWarner DualTronic double-clutch gearbox 2002 BMW 7-series 2001 Saab SVC (variable compression) engine 2000 Audi Multitronic CVT 1999 Volkswagen 24-valve VR6 |
