UK roads: a chassis tuner's nightmare

摘要

Our bumpy roads are a unique challenge for suspension designers, as Steve Sutcliffe learns from the men trying to smooth things out. Have you ever wondered why, when you drive off the ferry at Calais, you become aware of a peculiar sense of refinement that descends upon your car? A feeling that, somehow, your trusty steed seems to be riding better, flowing more smoothly and suffering from less friction than it did in the UK? The reason why, by all accounts, is largely to do with the amount of rain we get. Prodrive's vehicle dynamics chief, Matt Taylor, has been studying the unique qualities of British roads in an effort to develop suspension that works with them, rather than fight against them.