In Sport mode, on the other hand, damping
of the active dampers is increased (with the Sport Select suspension), while engine response and DSG shift points are configured to be more dynamic.
Independent
of the active dampers continuously adapting to the current driving conditions, the driver can also noticeably adjust the suspension and overall driving dynamics towards a more comfort or sport orientated setup.
The driver can vary the characteristic
of the active dampers; and one of the two modes - Normal or Sport - can be activated with the driving profile selection that is included as standard in the Polo GTI.
In medium to quick corners the chassis shows good balance, but there's still too much body roll — despite the best efforts
of the active dampers and anti-roll bars — and it takes a small leap of faith to push right up to the M760 Li's limits on the road.
Not exact matches
The CS is based on the latest M3 Competition Pack model and utilises the same springs and
dampers although for this application the software calibrations have been retuned for the Adaptive M
dampers along with those
of the
Active M differential and the electric power steering.
Shorn
of lesser E60 5 - series» run - flat tyres and
active steering, the M5 is a deeply satisfying steer on the twisty stuff, not least for its consistently fine ride, whatever
damper setting you manage to access via the still largely unfathomable iDrive system.
Who needs the overcomplication and artificiality
of Mercedes - Benz «s
Active Body Control when conventional springs and
dampers do the job this well?
There's tons more
of course — two stage adjustable
dampers, a specifically tuned Sport Handling setting for the stability and traction control, ceramic brakes, new Michelin Pilot Cup 2 tyres, a new
active rear locking differential.
At the same time, Normal and Sport drive modes affect the behavior
of the
dampers as well as the tuning
of the new dual - pinion, variable - ratio steering rack, throttle mapping, and
active noise control.
Dynamics are managed by an array
of active features including adjustable
dampers and antiroll bars, stability control, and traction management for all - wheel - drive cars.
True to Hennessey's «keep things simple» mantra, the Venom GT's suspension shuns trick electronics and
active damping in favour
of passive
dampers and coil springs.
The suspension bushings are soft enough to keep the body from shivering as the car crossed those nasty seams on concrete freeways, while the
active dampers quickly quelled any hint
of boatiness.
Not strictly up for discussion on this «powertrain reveal» but the suspension system will have race car style, horizontally packaged, pushrod
dampers, a carbon tub, carbon ceramic brakes and,
of course,
active aero.
Active dampers are an option, as are various larger wheels (up to 19in) that no doubt provide a sportier feel at the expense
of ride quality - though hopefully the new Mercedes A-class will handle all surfaces better than its firmly - suspended predecessor.
Bumps broadcast some noise through the cabin, but most
of the harshness is soaked up by the
active dampers.
In terms
of suspension, the R employs GT3 springs but with retuned Porsche
Active Suspension Management
dampers.
Sport and tour buttons just ahead
of the shifter adjust the
dampers accordingly, and a third mode — track — is available when Performance Traction Management is
active.
The brakes are carbon ceramic, the aerodynamics
active (providing up to 600 kg
of downforce in Race mode) and each corner meticulously monitored and controlled by McLaren's Race Chassis Control
active dampers.
Their skins differ, Sports being sheet - moulded compound, Supers carbonfibre, and so do their chassis: Sports models have physical anti-roll bars while Supers have «Proactive Chassis Control», McLaren's cross-linked
active damper system that replicates the effect
of physical anti-roll bars in cornering but leaves the wheels unlinked in a straight line for ride comfort.
Sharing its platform with the Golf, the T - Roc will benefit from the same suite
of active and passive safety systems, as well as other options like adaptive
dampers and switchable driver modes — all very grown up stuff for a compact SUV.
Even mention
of the new Bilstein
dampers and improvements to the Super
Active Yaw Control and
Active Centre Diff the MR didn't really suggest the MR's clear improvements over the already superb Evo VIII.
I find the price comparison with the Q5 S Line rather odd as EVO conveniently forgot to highlight the very high standard specification
of the R - Design Pro trim, which includes 21» alloys, air suspension / switchable
dampers,
active 12» 3» driver display,
active LED headlights with washers, dimming / folding mirrors, premium nav, heated windscreen, heated steering wheel, memory drivers seat and ambient lighting for the base price
of # 43,845 The # 42,150 Q5 S Line has none
of the above as standard and would cost # 49,345 if given the same specification as the XC60, so the Volvo would actually cost # 5,500 less.
There are also two different types
of Porsche
Active Suspension Management (PASM), one with adaptive
dampers and coil springs and another with three - camber air springs and adaptive
dampers.
The long list
of innovative driver aids includes dynamic LED headlights, the so - called Magic Carpet Ride chassis featuring a camera - based
damper adjustment system, an ever - more - intelligent brake assist with cross traffic recognition, and a new
active cruise control that can even execute lane changes and passing maneuvers.
On activation
of SPORT PLUS mode, Porsche
Active Suspension Management (PASM) and, in the S models, optional Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) and optional rear axle steering adapt for enhanced roadholding performance by switching to a sportier
damper setting and offering more direct turn - in on entering the corner.
The V8 is married to BMW's Steptronic eight - speed automatic gearbox tweaked for quicker shift times, says the carmaker, while the list
of mechanical gimmicks includes electronically controlled
dampers, an
active rear axle diff and most likely an all - wheel - drive setup similar to that used for the current BMW F90 M5.
With the Advance Package, you get the cream
of the MDX's available features, with specially contoured, ventilated front seats in Milano leather, a sport steering wheel with paddle shifters, auto - leveling HID headlamps, the
active damper system, and upgraded 19 - inch alloy wheels, plus several additional
active - safety features.
Every corner
of the car is constantly monitored — roll, pitch, yaw — tweaking the adaptive air suspension and
active damper systems to ensure equal parts pace and comfort.
First is the electronically adjustable magnetorheological
dampers — now employed throughout the entire Ferrari line — that provide
active monitoring
of and phenomenal response to surface conditions.
At the flip
of a switch,
active dampers give the driver the choice between Normal, Sport, and Comfort ride quality.
Further down the mechanical gimmicks list we encounter electronically controlled
dampers, an
active rear axle differential lock and an all - wheel - drive setup (most likely very similar to that
of the current BMW F90 M5) that favors the rear axle.
To handle that additional bit
of performance, the vehicle will get new anti-roll bar, new
active exhaust system, sport spring and
dampers, and lightweight brakes.
With a cycle speed
of a thousand times per second, MSRC is claimed to be the fastest - reacting
active damper.
Thanks to the available state
of the art chassis systems including Dynamic
Damper Control with Adaptive Mode and Integral
Active Steering, now combinable with xDrive, BMW's intelligent all - wheel drive system, Advanced Driver Assistant Systems and Parking Assistance Systems the all - new BMW 5 Series once more defines the athletic and executive design
of a true sport sedan.
Adding to the dynamic capabilities
of the ZDX is the available Integrated Dynamics System (IDS), which tailors the fully independent suspension's
Active Damper System and speed - sensitive steering together to suit the driver's preference for a more comfortable or a more sporting ride - available for easy change at the turn
of a dial.
Along with the
active dampers, the speed - sensitive hydraulic steering assist is automatically adjusted according to the driver's choice
of Comfort or Sport modes: lighter steering effort is generated in the Comfort mode, while firmer effort results when in Sport mode.
The heart
of the ZDX's
Active Damper System is its electronically - controlled Magneto - Rheological shock absorbers, which can individually adjust from minimum to maximum damping force in as little as five milliseconds (0.005 sec.).
The team installed laminated windows, loads
of sound deadening, mass -
damper countermeasures and an
active noise - canceling system with three mics inside to keep the big truck silent.
Adding to the dynamic capabilities
of the Acura ZDX is an available Integrated Dynamics System (IDS), which tailors the fully independent suspension's
Active Damper System and speed - sensitive steering together to suit the driver's preference for a more comfortable or a more sporting ride — available for easy change at the turn
of a dial.
Included with the available Advance Package, the Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) tailors the ZDX's fully independent suspension's
Active Damper System and speed - sensitive steering to suit the driver's preference for a more comfortable or a more sporting ride - available at the touch
of a switch.
Outfitted with Acura's tenacious Super-Handling All - wheel Drive system and an available sport package with
Active Damper System, the MDX yields a combination
of handling and comfort that is truly on the cutting edge.
It's got air springs, variable
dampers, and an
active exhaust that'll make more
of the good noise when the mood is right.
With the exception
of the
active PASM
damper system (as standard with the Cayenne S), all other chassis systems are new developments.
5 - inch high - resolution TFT colour display, Coolant temperature gauge, External temperature gauge, Front and rear park assist, Oil temperature gauge, On board computer, Porsche Communication Management (PCM) including DVD navigation, Power steering plus, Remote tailgate / fuel filler releases, Service interval indicator, Sports button in centre console, 2 speed front wipers + intermittent wipe, Auto dimming interior + exterior mirrors, Automatic headlights, Body colour door handles, Colour coded bumpers, Day running lights, Electric windows + anti trap protection + one touch open / close drivers side, Electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, Front fog lights, Grey tint in upper edge
of windscreen, Heated rear windscreen, Heated washer jets, Integral rear antenna, Intermittent rear wash / wipe, Painted side air intakes, Painted tailgate strips with platinum silver, Platinum silver roof spoiler separation edge, Power foldback door mirrors, Privacy glass, Rain sensor, Stainless steel door entry guards, 5 12V sockets, 60 / 40 asymmetric split folding rear seats,
Active carbon filter, Adjustable headrests (except centre rear), Air quality sensor, Automatic air recirculate, Delay courtesy light function, Door safety lights - front and rear, Engine Compartment Light, Fabric roof lining, Floor mats, Footwell courtesy lights front and rear, Front and rear cupholders x 2, Front and rear door entry lights, Front centre armrest, Front reading lights, Front seatback pockets, Ignition Lock illumination, Illuminated air conditioned glovebox, Illuminated ashtray, Illuminated centre console storage, Illuminated driver / passenger vanity mirrors, Illumination
of luggage compartment, Isofix system on outer rear seats, Leather door armrests + grab handles on centre console, Manual height / reach adjust steering wheel, Passenger under seat storage tray, Pollen filter, Porsche crest embossed in front and rear headrests, Rear centre armrest with storage compartment, Rear reading lights, Retractable Loadspace Cover, Retractable luggage net, Roof mounted sunglasses holder, Stainless steel pedals, Steering wheel gearshift paddles, Storage bins on all doors, Storage compartments in cargo area side walls, 3 point front / outer rear seatbelts + pre-tensioners + force limiters on front seats,Anti - lock Brake System + ABD,Anti - slip regulation, Curtain airbags, Electronic
Damper Control, Electronic parking brake, Front seat belts warning, Front side airbags, Full size driver and passenger airbags, Height adjustable front seatbelts, Hill hold control, Passenger airbag deactivation system, PTM (Porsche Traction Management), Alarm system + interior ultrasonic protection + inclination sensor, Electronic transponder immobiliser, Preparation for vehicle tracking, Remote central locking, Two stage locking, 100 litre fuel tank, Diesel particulate filter, Porsche stability management (PSM), Integrated cluster with black bezels, Trim strip in silver, Wheel centres with full colour Porsche crest
«Porsche offers an adjustable air suspension, electronically controlled
dampers and
active anti-roll bars that endow the Cayenne with physics - defying levels
of handling.»
The front suspension also gains a superior two - arm setup instead
of the old McPherson format and the Adaptive Drive package (3,550 euro) adds adaptive
dampers and
active anti-roll bars — Dynamic Drive reduces the rolling movements
of the vehicle by means
of active stabilizers on the front and rear axle, thus increasing vehicle stability.
A host
of acronyms helps to that end — specifically Porsche
Active Suspension Management (PASM) electronic damper control, a Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport (PDCC Sport) system, and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) and active roll stabilization — as does the new electromechanical steering system and 918 Spyder - influenced rear axle ste
Active Suspension Management (PASM) electronic
damper control, a Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Sport (PDCC Sport) system, and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) and
active roll stabilization — as does the new electromechanical steering system and 918 Spyder - influenced rear axle ste
active roll stabilization — as does the new electromechanical steering system and 918 Spyder - influenced rear axle steering.
The driver can use the «S / C / M» mode button in the centre console to select from the «Sport», «Comfort» and «Manual» shift programmes that not only change the transmission characteristics but also the accelerator response and the spring /
damper settings
of the AMG sports suspension based on
Active Body Control.
Over and above this, the S80 can be specified with Four - C, Volvo's self - regulating
active chassis system that adjusts the
dampers in fractions
of a second to suit changing driving conditions.
Being McLaren, you could expect all sorts
of techie gimmicks, like
active aero both front and rear, computer controlled suspension with Kinetic roll system (K -
damper).