The Integration of CAE Early into the Design for Synthesizing Vehicle Dynamic Response

In the conventional automotive development cycle, handling, stability, and control evaluation have required driving actual prototype vehicles at a test track. Contemporary analysis makes is possible to estimate vehicle handling, stability, and control prior to having any hardware available. Described here is a method which allows: (1) dynamic response synthesis for optimizing vehicle configuration, and (2) setting design direction required to reach the kinematics and compliance targets for vehicle suspension and steering subsystems. Supplementing engineering design activities with dynamics analysis assures that the vehicle handling targets will be attained.