Active toe angle changes improve handling

摘要

A vehicle dynamics system that actively adjusts toe angle to improve handling is being developed in the UK, writes Roger Bishop. It works on the rear axle of front wheel drive cars and is said to overcome the 'static toe' compromise of either giving a vehicle agile handling at lower speeds or making it more stable and predictable at high speed. The developer of Active Toe Control, Prodrive, has identified a mechanism design to adjust the toe angle and is looking for a hardware partner to take the project to a wosking prototype. Advances in tyre technology and suspension mean the dynamic capability of modern cars is so good that drivers rarely reach a vehicle's limits. "Typically most drivers stay well within 60 to 70% of their car's capabilities," says Matt Taylor, Prodrive's chief dynamics specialist. "This means vehicle manufacturers are increasingly focusing on making their cars feel more sporty in this region, without necessarily increasing their outright performance.