Ride & Handling
Fun in driving and value in safety
The optimal balance that brings full excitement
There is an increasing number of drivers who drive not only to reach their destinations but also for the pleasure and excitement of driving itself; driving, in other words, is going beyond its functional feature of movement. In order for a person to enjoy driving, fine riding and stable handling are both needed – we call this Ride & Handling (R&H).
R&H needs to be in perfect balance; when one is excessively emphasized, the combination loses its balance and soon collapses. Let us introduce you to Hyundai Motor’s core technology for R&H, which grants optimal balance to drivers.
The balance between Ride and Handling, a critical seesaw game
A vehicle that has solid tire and car body anchored to it would give good handling since one is able to steer any way he/she wants; however, the feel of the ride would be go bad since the car shakes too much. Meanwhile, if the suspension is made too smooth to reduce the shaking level, the top and bottom amplitudes will be so wide that the car shakes and loses its stability. The R&H performance in a vehicle is not only about a single part; rather, it is related in depth with a wide range of parts including tires that are in contact with the road, the suspension that plays the role of cushioning between the tire and car body, the car body that supports the vehicle itself and the steering wheel for handling. That is why R&H is a sophisticated system made up of complex interrelationships between several elements.
Hyundai Motor’s research and efforts for the ultimate driving pleasure
The so called steering wheel is the very basic device in determining and controlling the vehicle’s direction. Since it is the most basic part, it is apart that has been studied for a long period of time. The Hyundai Motor Company is still putting its efforts into making a handling device that converges sophisticated sensors, motor and steering wheel in a scientific design, one that could present an exquisite experience of agile handling to the driver.
The suspension, which absorbs the shock caused from the ground, affects the ride to a huge extent. The cushiony type of suspension, in which the shock absorption level is at its peak, has relatively slower reaction speed; so, it would be inappropriate for high speed driving.
On the other hand, the solid suspension variant impedes the feel of the ride. Hyundai Motor’s research is concentrated on identifying the optimal point where the feel of handling and ride best balance out. We started off with the machine-device model for suspension level adjustment and moved onto electric devices for precise control. Now, we are eyeing a new generation suspension development of a totally new concept.
Our desire to meet the challenge of the ultimate driving pleasure drives Hyundai Motor’s destiny.
R&H is an area that cannot be explained in figures, and a lot of individual variations exist. In order to enhance the satisfaction level, which may differ through subtle changes, Hyundai Motor is putting efforts in comprehensive R&D in four areas – handling, suspension, chassis geometry and control.
Hyundai Motor’s R&H that enhances satisfaction for all through delicate differentiation
Improvement in handling through MDPS and VGR (Variable Gear Ration)
A smoother and more natural handling is provided as the steering wheel motor is at a greater distance from the driver’s seat and nearer towards the tires. R-MPDS is the device that enables the motor, which is connected to the rack that links the gap in between the vehicle’s front wheels, to deliver the driver’s handling to the tires. Our R-MPDS has improved consumption efficiency by 2-3% when compared to the previous ones. It also gives a more delicate handling when compared to column mounted MDPS (C-MDPS), where the motor is installed on the column part.
Another technology leveraged for handling improvement is to use the Variable Gear Ratio (VGR). It is a technology that adjusts and controls the steering gear ratio so that the vehicle responds more delicately in the sections that have narrower handling and quicker in wider handling sections. It improves sensitivity while driving straight at a high speed and also agility while making a turn.
CDC Continuous Damping Control
The vertical acceleration sensor installed on the front and rear parts of the vehicle gauges the car’s movement to deliver the information to ECU (Electronic Control Unit). Then, the ECU analyzes this information to determine the optimal attenuation power and controls the vehicle with CDC damper immediately. The vehicle presents relaxed ride one very type of road, as the CDC damper operates in the opposite direction of the shaking. Another function of this controller is stable cornering. When the vehicle is making a quick cornering, the controller lowers the vehicle lift inside and heightens the vehicle lift outside to prevent leaning and actualize smooth cornering.
Chassis Geometry
The feel of ride differs depending on the angle and form in how the vehicle and tire are connected, and this is called chassis geometry. Hyundai Motor reduced the size of the caster trail, which indicates the distance of the point where the middle part crosses the road, in order to improve the sensitivity. Also, it maximized camber capacity to minimize the shock upon the vehicle floor during collision. In addition, the sub-frame, which constitutes suspension, has been strengthened to provide more solid and stable ride.
A vehicle that can be perfectly adjusted in any situation
Hyundai Motor’s complex VSM (Vehicle Stability management) determines the potential risk upon braking on an uneven road and properly adjusts the handling and brake. This helps to maintain the stability of the vehicle under any condition. With various sensors, vehicle dynamic control and MDPS responding proactively, the system offers high safety to the driver and passengers.
HTRAC, the greatest synergy between man and the vehicle and between the vehicle and the road
Hyundai Motor’s AWD (All Wheel Drive) which is applied onto the company’s four-wheel drive cars is also called HTRAC, an abbreviation for Hyundai Motor’s “H” and “TRAC” from the word traction of four wheel drives. This name refers to the point where we actualize the best drive with Hyundai Motor’s exclusive technology. HTRAC controls the vehicle to provide the most stable driving under the given turning and driving conditions based upon transfer, which allocates the driving force after taking into consideration the vehicle conditions, road conditions and driving information. In addition, it can determine the priority between the ride and acceleration efficiency in accordance with the travelling mode set by the driver. This is to present the best enjoyment while securing high driving performance and stability.
More about HTRAC
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