Audi A8 testing adaptive air suspension from Lift to Dynamic

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Uploaded by on Apr 22, 2010

Audi A8 testing adaptive air suspension Whilst not using high pressure mineral oil (as does the Citroën system), the system aims to achieve a result similar to the hydropneumatic suspension arrangement introduced in 1954 by Citroën.

One of the earliest implementations of air suspension was by Messier[1] in the 1920s.

With a "leg up" on other companies[citation needed], GM used its experience with commercial buses' air suspension to introduce systems for its car lines, beginning with the 1958 model year. Air bags at each wheel replaced the standard coil springs, and had sensors to keep the car level under load and in turns. It was, however too slow to react in sudden maneuvers.

Period reviews rated the air suspension somewhat superior in ride quality, but not dramatically. Some reliability issues plagued these systems, as well. Thus, as an option, air suspension was short lived in that era.

Vehicles that use air suspension today include models from Maybach, Rolls-Royce, Lexus, Cadillac (GM), Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover/Range Rover, SsangYong, Audi, Subaru, Volkswagen, and Lincoln and Ford, among others. Citroën now feature Hydractive suspension, a computer controlled version of their Hydropneumatic system, which features sport and comfort modes, lowers the height of the car at high speeds and continues to maintain ride height when the engine is not running.

The air suspension designs from Land Rover, SsangYong, Subaru and some Audi, VW, and Lexus models, feature height adjustable suspension controlled by the driver, suitable for clearing rough terrain. The Lincoln Continental and Mark VIII also featured an air suspension system in which the driver could choose how sporty or comfortable they wanted the suspension to feel. These suspension settings were also linked to the memory seat system, meaning that the car would automatically adjust the suspension to the individual driver. The control system in the Mark VIII also lowered the suspension by about 25 mm (1 inch) at speeds exceeding about 100 km/h (60 mph)[2] for improved aerodynamic performance. Due to the many advantages air suspensions provide, and with the advancement of new materials and technologies, these systems are being designed on many future platforms. This is especially important as car manufacturers strive to improve gas mileage by reducing weight and utilizing active suspension technology to maximize performance.

In addition to passenger cars, air suspension is broadly used on semi trailers, trains (primarily passenger trains) and buses, which are all transportation sectors that helped pioneer the use and design of air suspension. An unusual application was on EMD's experimental Aerotrain.Over the last decade or so air suspension has become extremely popular in the custom automobile culture: street rods, trucks, cars, and even motorcycles may have air springs. They are used in these applications to provide an adjustable suspension which allows vehicles to sit extremely low, yet be able rise to a level high enough to maneuver over obstacles and inconsistencies in the roadways (and parking lots). These systems generally employ small, electric or engine-driven air compressors which sometimes fill an on-board air receiver tank which stores compressed air for use in the future without delay. High-pressured industrial gas bottles (such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide tanks used to store shielding gases for welding) are sometimes used in more radical air suspension setups. Either of these reservoir systems may be fully adjustable, being able to adjust each wheel's air pressure individually. This allows the user to tilt the vehicle side to side, front to back, in some instances "hit a 3-wheel" (contort the vehicle so one wheel lifts up from the ground) or even "hop" the entire vehicle into the air. When a pressure reservoir is present, the flow of air or gas is commonly controlled with pneumatic solenoid valves. This allows the user to make adjustments by simply pressing a momentary-contact electric button or switch.

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Uploader Comments (avtomobili001)

  • i have a 05 a8 those it supost to rise on its own once i start it?

  • @ANGREEMEN07 yes it should rise when you start engine....but here i have put it from dynamic to lift

  • talk man. dont be shy

  • @bornwithanattitude my english is bad :-)

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All Comments (18)

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  • I would like to get this type of suspension for my 1996 impala can someone help me out

  • @tasmisr Hi. We Rebuild Audi A8 & Bentley Struts. You can buy them on E-Bay for $800 with warranty.

  • Hi. We Rebuild Audi A8 & Bentley Struts. You can buy them on E-Bay

  • @muratomd where do you come from kardeş?

    

  • @tasmisr only 4000 euro..not expensive for number one luxury car..

  • @muratomd Man I test drove one the other day...omg, smh, that thing is soo spacious, I drove an L model..Im 6'4 and I had room to spare all around....going from 0-60 with the A/C on at part throttle was just as easy as ever....I plan on purchasing one at the end of next yr...Its so comfy

  • @tasmisr Well, thts why u have got to choose one thats been properly maintained and an extended warranty and savings account will help with repair/breakdown costs...

  • I appreciate it if you tell name of the song that playing, i like it .thanks you

  • thanks! from the sound of the car, I feel like being in a jet!!! and the bose sound system sounds amazing....

  • @tasmisr Pumps aren't more than 200

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