| |
 | |
Concept designs resulting from the recently completed UltraLight Steel Auto Suspension (ULSAS) study reveal significant mass savings of up to 34% compared with benchmarked steel suspensions. Remarkably, the study also shows that a steel multi-link design can be produced that is 3% lighter than a benchmarked aluminium suspension. What is more, the study also discloses that all of these mass savings can be achieved without cost penalty, with the steel ULSAS multi-link design yielding a substantial 30% cost saving over the aluminium multi-link suspension. Commenting on the findings of this comprehensive two year design study, Peter Rawlinson of Corus Automotive Engineering and ULSAS programme director said: "The results explode the myth that the substitution of aluminium is the only answer to mass savings, and will help automotive engineers to better understand and exploit the latest steel technologies for more sophisticated and cost-effective mass-efficient designs." Suspension systems account for a significant proportion of vehicle mass (typically 12 per cent), alongside the main body structure (20 per cent) and powertrain (18 per cent). It is another major area in the vehicle where mass and cost can be addressed to good effect. For further information about the results from the UltraLight Steel Auto Suspension (ULSAS) study, please download the PDF file. | |
|
