Technology of the Year As car makers
turn their attention away from ICE, innovations in powertrain
technology dry up. Meanwhile, progress on battery technology is steady
but undramatic, at least until solid state battery enter production
(whose roll-out is pushed back yet again, to probably the end of this
decade). This means at the meantime the most promising development is
found at the suspension department. Following last year's winner
Multimatic TASV damper (used in Ferrari Purosangue and F80), this year
Porsche Active Ride takes the top honour.
Developed in conjunction with ZF, PAR consists of an air spring, a twin-valve adaptive damper and a motor-driven hydraulic pump in each suspension. The latter can pump oil into either the compression chamber or expansion chamber of the damper, pushing the suspension up or pulling it down at lightning speed. Moreover, it can exert a force up to 1000 kg to each damper, easily countering the weight and momentum of the car. As all 4 wheels can be independently controlled, the car may glide over bumps with very little body movement, or corner quickly yet flatly, or brake without dive. Ride height can be adjusted according to speed or drive mode, too. It has the ride and handling of the new Panamera transformed. |
| Past winners 2024 Multimatic TASV damper 2023 e-Fuel 2022 Lucid Air 2021 Toyota Mirai 2020 Koenigsegg LST 2019 Rimac C_Two 2018 Mazda Skyactiv-X engine 2017 GKN Twinster for Ford Focus RS 2016 iStream Carbon 2015 LaFerrari's hybrid powertrain 2014 BMW i3's LifeDrive architecture 2013 Mercedes SLS Electric Drive 2012 Ferrari 4RM 2011 Chevrolet Volt 2010 FIAT Multiair 2009 Better Place-Israel electric car plan 2008 Mercedes F700 and DiesOtto engine 2007 BMW Turbosteamer 2006 Volkswagen-Eaton Twincharger 2005 BorgWarner regulated 2-stage turbocharging system 2004 Toyota Prius 2003 BorgWarner DualTronic double-clutch gearbox 2002 BMW 7-series 2001 Saab SVC (variable compression) engine 2000 Audi Multitronic CVT 1999 Volkswagen 24-valve VR6 |
