A huge number of parts are needed to build a car. Some are more glamorous than others, but visibility does not equal importance. Hidden from sight are the parts that give premium cars their edge. The hydromount is a case in point. It probably did not take many bumps in the road following the invention of the wheel before the first comfort improvements were added. Although mastering vibrations remains the basic issue, the current objective is to achieve the best compromise between drive comfort and acoustic performance. Controlling engine movement is a top priority. Since the 1990s, hydraulic mounts have been standard for engines and power trains in passenger cars. These "hydromounts" were originally introduced in the 1970s. Combining highly elastic rubber (with favorable acoustic properties) with hydraulic devices (damping vibrations), they were found to be superior to conventional mounts. Manfred Hofmann has been working with the development of the hydromount since he started at Trelleborg in 1979.
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