Title: Vehicle dynamics: experimental analysis of sedan and sport utility vehicle

Authors: Maikol Funk Drechsler; Thiago Antonio Fiorentin

Addresses: Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt, Ingolstadt, 85055, Germany ' Centro Tecnológico de Joinville, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Joinville – Brazil

Abstract: Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) have off-road features, including superior ground clearance, high driving position and towing capability. These features have increased SUV sales mainly in emerging markets. However, their high centres of gravity (CGs) can reduce the handling capability, safety, and comfort of this type of vehicle. Despite this consideration, the comfort and handling of SUVs have not been explored in the literature. Hence, in this study, an SUV and a sedan platform are quantitatively compared concerning static construction parameters such as mass, CG, and suspension characteristics. Measuring their vertical accelerations and rotation movements performs a second evaluation. Based on the results, it is verified that the roll behaviour of the SUV is similar to the medium sedan, but it is necessary to highlight the differences in their CG heights and damping ratios. The lower damping ratio available in the SUV suspension brings greater vertical acceleration and pitch movement.

Keywords: SUV; sport utility vehicle; handling; comfort; acceleration; sedan; emerging markets; safety; quantitative comparison; vehicle parameters; centre of gravity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVSMT.2020.114978

International Journal of Vehicle Systems Modelling and Testing, 2020 Vol.14 No.4, pp.232 - 245

Received: 16 Nov 2019
Accepted: 08 Feb 2020

Published online: 13 May 2021 *

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