Just read about the '15 WRX's new suspension
12-13-2013, 02:12 PM
#18
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Location: San Jose, CA
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Car Info: 2011 WRX hatch gray
I don't like how car marketing is getting away with calling multi-link suspension (usually in the rear) as "double wishbone". It's not. Although it gives many of the advantages of the double wishbone, I don't think they should be able to get away with calling it that.
It appears that suspension technology is getting good enough that multi-link suspensions are meeting if not exceeding the advantages of the double wishbone. I think this is due to the computer modelling they are able to do now. Whereas the double wish bone is easily understood by your average gear head, the dynamics of a multi-link are almost impossible to predict without modelling or real experience in the stuff.
The trend seems to be that McPherson front suspension is good enough (cheap and takes up less room) and all the handling advantages spent in the rear's multi-link.
While the multi-link can perform well (and saves space compared to the double wishbone), it appears that it is less tolerant of ride height changes; unlike like the true double wishbone. This is why the GR chassis suffered from travel and toe if you lowered it (see TIC's thread). It's also why the 4th gen civic (which has double wish bone front) could be slammed to the ground by ricers and not completely destroy the handling.
It appears that suspension technology is getting good enough that multi-link suspensions are meeting if not exceeding the advantages of the double wishbone. I think this is due to the computer modelling they are able to do now. Whereas the double wish bone is easily understood by your average gear head, the dynamics of a multi-link are almost impossible to predict without modelling or real experience in the stuff.
The trend seems to be that McPherson front suspension is good enough (cheap and takes up less room) and all the handling advantages spent in the rear's multi-link.
While the multi-link can perform well (and saves space compared to the double wishbone), it appears that it is less tolerant of ride height changes; unlike like the true double wishbone. This is why the GR chassis suffered from travel and toe if you lowered it (see TIC's thread). It's also why the 4th gen civic (which has double wish bone front) could be slammed to the ground by ricers and not completely destroy the handling.
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