Porsche Active Ride suspension: what it is and how it works

ACTION OF THE CHANGE – The video provided by Porsche is quite eloquent (see below the article): The Panamera passes on two parallel tracks and, while the wheels are spinning at high speed, the body of the car almost does not move, thanks to Porsche Active Ride. This system is an important step of evolution in the sector suspended from work because it has an instant response, it allows you to do without anti-roll bars and reduces roll and pitch while it promises to increase the traction of each wheel in the most different conditions.

GOODBYE TO SNAP – To these very important power functions, others can be added that can be selected by the driver and that we can define as “comfort”, such asthe inward direction of the curve (type of motorcycle) to compensate for the external thrust felt by the passenger. Even the lowering of the nose during braking and its rise during acceleration can be compensated: Porsche Active Ride can balance this bitumen causing the vehicle to lean forward when accelerating and backward when braking. “Caution” Porsche Active Ride However, they don’t stop here: workenable login”, when activated, raises the bodywork by 55 millimeters as soon as the door is opened, making entry and exit easier.

CHANGE OF WEEDS FOR WEEDS – The heart of the system Porsche Active Ride he is a scholar shock absorber hydraulic driven by a special pump, assisted by high-speed solenoid valves, are placed on the bodywork in a position very close to the suspension. Shock absorbers (let’s call them that for short) have a function that goes far beyond dirt. Of course they are they can “push” the wheels towards the road (for example over potholes) or lift it towards the bodywork when there is a hump. So then Porsche Active Ride it could do without the anti-roll bars that actually move the wheels inside the curve upwards to reduce lateral intake.

Regarding inner wheels: maintain a flat trim allows all the tires to work at their best, and greatly increase the grip compared to what happens if the car exhibits an accentuated roll. The pumps that control the shock absorbers are driven directly by the high-voltage battery of the models they are mounted on (Taycan and Panamera E-Hybrid) and this brings at least two. profit: losses in connection cables are reduced (for the same power, if the voltage increases the current decreases proportionally) and therefore the conductors can be thinner and lighter; direct connection then makes it possible to do without a converter, which is large, heavy and suffers from energy losses. L’elastic element is pneumatic but the speed of the system Porsche Active Ride is that shock absorbers can also act as “virtual” springs; however, the solution was not implemented because in this case the energy consumption would be prohibitive.

VIRTUAL CAR – Electric pumps have a volume of hydraulic fluid to be transferred to the shock absorbers, a volume set by thousands of sensors that monitor longitudinal and lateral acceleration, stresses exerted by the road surface on the wheels and body work, grip and slippage of the individual tire. Depending on the properties of the shock absorber oil, the control platform is also in charge system pressure, which defines the forces acting on the shock absorber when the space is connected to the amount of fuel. There correction occurs at a frequency of 13 Hz, ie 13 times per secondand it is interesting to know that the system takes into account the vertical, longitudinal and lateral forces for the correct adjustment: on the track for example, the wheels riding the curb will have different dirt than those remaining on the pavement.

The control unit can also calculate the slip angle, i.e. the angle formed between the direction in which the wheel is pointed and the direction in which it has been traveled. In practice, “turn” in the ECU real car model, whose behavior is similar to that of a real car. It is almost superfluous to add that Porsche Active Ride interacts with the main systems and mechanical units of the car: combustion engine (in hybrid models), electric motor, four-wheel drive, traction / stability control, ABS and electronically controlled rear differential. Therefore, this system looks versatile and aims to combine the performance and comfort expected in high-end cars.

THE ITALIAN OPPONENT – Its purpose is similar to that of Marelli Complete Lightning Suspension System (WHO to find out more) and others difference: the pumps are not variable, and therefore there is no energy recovery, but the Marelli system probably cannot vary the height from the bottom even if it can adjust the parameters up to 30 times per second.