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2 INNOVATIVE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS FOR OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE (Part 2)

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On February 2, 2024

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In today’s article, we will continue to delve into the exclusive air suspension systems of the other two European luxury car brands – Audi and Porsche.

AUDI — Technological Innovation and Dynamic Driving

Audi equipped with the adaptive air suspension which is an air suspension system with controlled damping. It offers a wide range between smooth cruising and sporty handling. It also enables for car height level control.

Predictive Active Suspension

Audi offers a new high-tech innovation for its car suspension system- predictive active suspension similar system offered in Mercedes & BMW, using air suspension and road-scanning technology to isolate bumps and increase comfort. It provides supreme ride comfort and the firm handling of a sport cars.

These incorporate an adaptable suspension setup along with cameras and various sensors capable of anticipating bumps and potholes ahead. Consequently, the vehicle adjusts its suspension by either softening or stiffening at specific wheels to mitigate the effects of the road imperfections.

The most notable feature is how the PAS responds to speed bumps. For example, Audi S8’s ride height can increase quickly by 50mm upon detection by the camera system. This elevation allows each suspension component to compress, effectively reducing the impact of the bump of occupants, akin to shirking large lane-spanning speed bumps. However, it is not flawless as the camera requires a certain distance to detect the speed bump initially.

Next, braking and acceleration forces are countered, and between speeds of 50 and 80mph, the vehicle will lean into turns by three degrees, reminiscent of a Pendolino train. This adjustment diminishes the sideways forces, showcasing its remarkable effectiveness particularly between speed of 80 to 130 km/h (49.7 to 80.8 mph) and during lateral acceleration of up to 0.4g. As a result, both the driver and passengers hardly perceive the vehicle’s cornering motion – even a brimming cup of coffee in the cup holder remains stable without spilling.

Moreover, it’s not solely focused on comfort: in Dynamic mode, PAS adjusts to a sportier setting, having the maximum roll angle of a normal A8 (from 5 degrees to 2.5) with emphasis on the front axle during aggressive cornering. Coupled with standard rear-wheel steering, this ensures that your five-meter-long limousine handles like something much smaller.

Electronic Control Suspension System: With advanced electronic control, this system can independently adjust each corner of the suspension in milliseconds, providing a personalized driving experience.

Multi-Mode Driving Experience: Equipped with adaptive airbags and adjustable suspension hardness, it offers a diverse range of driving experiences by selecting different driving modes, from comfortable daily driving to exhilarating sporty drives.

Height Adjustability: The air suspension can lower the vehicle height, effectively lowering the center of gravity, improving aerodynamics, and delivering more stable driving performance.

Enhanced Dynamic Stability: When the adaptive mode is activated, the suspension system quickly stiffens, reducing body roll significantly, and providing excellent dynamic stability for high-speed and cornering drives.

Load Balancing Function: Regardless of the load, Predictive Active Suspension intelligently levels the car, maintaining a constant height for a smooth driving experience.

PORSCHE — Driving Passion and Performance

Porsche equips every Cayenne Panamera and Macan model with adaptive air suspension, either as a standard feature or an optional upgrade, primarily aimed at enhancing suspension comfort. Specifically for the new Panamera, Porsche has introduced a new three-chamber air suspension system, setting new benchmarks, particularly in terms of driving comfort. Unlike the previous Panamera model, this adaptive air suspension incorporates three chambers per spring strut, with approximately 60 percent higher air volume, allowing for a significantly broader range of spring rates. This facilitates adjusting the chassis to a lower baseline spring rate for heightened comfort, with the ability to electronically alter the spring rate within milliseconds as needed – such as during acceleration, braking or to minimize body roll. Furthermore, the air suspension provides the advantages of self-levelling capability along with the flexibility to select various levels of ground clearance.

PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management)

Porsche offers its Active Suspension Management system (PASM) as an optional upgrade on all current models of the Boxster, Cayman, Macan and Cayenne with lower power outputs, while it comes standard on the higher-powered variants. Additionally, PASM is included as standard equipment on all derivatives of the 911 and Panamera.

The PASM system employs specialized fluid-filled dampers, each equipped with a valve capable of regulating oil flow within the unit, thereby adjusting the suspension’s stiffness. There dampers offer two selectable settings accessible to the driver via a button on the vehicle’s centre console.

In normal mode, the damper valve remains open, allowing unrestricted fluid flow. Porsche describes this setting as balance between performance and comfort. Switching to sport mode results in a firmer suspension as the damper valve closes, restricting oil flow, which Porsche claims enhances handling. The normal setting provides a more comfortable basic configuration of the dampers, and switches to more sporty setting if the vehicle is driven more dynamically. This enhances comfort, particularly during extended highway trips, as PASM effectively dampens minor to moderate road imperfections far more efficiently than a standard passive chassis. Conversely, activating the sport setting engages firmer damper settings conducive to a highly responsive driving experience. Reduced body movements facilitate achieving quicker lap times on the racetrack.

For sport cars like the 718 Cayman and Boxster, PASM includes a 10mm reduction in ride height. Moreover, the system can integrate with Porsche’s air suspension system, found in models like Macan and Cayenne, offering six adjustable levels of ride height.

Active Suspension Management Technology: Real-time adjustment of suspension hardness and height ensures exceptional performance and unparalleled comfort under various driving conditions.

Intelligent Mode Switching: Switch between normal mode for comfortable daily driving and sport mode, where the suspension automatically stiffens, providing superior handling performance and higher driving stability.

Active Damping Function: Rapidly adapts to changes in road surfaces, minimizing bumps and enhancing ride comfort, allowing for an unparalleled smooth driving experience.

Multiple Driving Modes: Choose between ‘Comfort’ for leisurely daily drives, switch to ‘Sport’ for a more thrilling experience, and escalate to ‘Sport Plus’ for pushing limits and experiencing driving passion.

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