Determining Optimal Suspension & Body in White Mountings to maximize Off-Road Capability of Passenger Vehicles

The automotive market is shifting toward SUVs, with rising customer demand for off-road capability in passenger vehicles. While pure off-roaders offer advanced performance, the goal is to achieve similar functionality in passenger vehicles through minimal design changes. A key factor in off-road performance is wheel articulation, which ensures tire contact and stability on uneven terrain by allowing independent wheel movement. Wheel articulation plays a critical role in determining a vehicle's off-road capability. The vehicle is designed with key parameters like hard point configuration, strength and durability to meet performance targets. While Kinematic and Compliance setup suits standard ride and handling needs, adapting it for off-road capability exceeds its current design limits and requires further enhancements beyond conventional development. Relationship between wheel articulation and off-road performance, emphasizing the role of suspension design and geometry in enhancing traction, stability, and control. Key parameters such as wheel travel, damper side load characteristics, and axle alignment are analysed for their impact on off-road performance. Previous research and development efforts have primarily focused on enhancing off-road capabilities in dedicated off-road vehicles, with limited attention given to improving off-road performance in passenger vehicles. In this paper, standard guidelines to optimize wheel articulation for enhanced off-road capability in passenger vehicles is established. The findings provide insights into suspension configurations to improve off-road handling and durability. Simulations calculate the Ramp Travel Index and use CAE software’s to optimize suspension geometry for stability and safety on challenging terrains. Wheel articulation is evaluated under various road conditions, including ISO 13506:1992 standards. The results highlight the importance of precise suspension tuning to improve traction, reduce wheel lift, and enhance vehicle control for optimal off-road performance. Enhancing off-road capability in passenger vehicles not only improves durability and safety but also increases versatility, meeting the dual demands of daily use and adventure-oriented driving