The key drivers in chassis development

For OEMs and chassis developers the job of managing the compromise between vehicle dynamics, cost, safety, systems integration and material choice has always been problematic and led to a wide range of solutions. However, the recent increase in the incentives to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas output has made balancing this equation more difficult.

In chassis applications the opportunities to reduce weight have two major benefits. Any contribution to fuel economy reduction is important, but for many chassis and suspension parts the reduction of unsprung weight is even more significant, offering improvement in handling performance and drive dynamics.