Citation

Drechsler MF, Fiorentin TA. Int. J. Veh. Syst. Model. Test. 2020; 14(4): 232-245.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Inderscience Publishers)

DOI

10.1504/IJVSMT.2020.114978

PMID

unavailable

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.

Language: en