Vehicle parameter influence on steering control characteristics

The steering characteristics of cars have been improved during the past few years, but investigations show that there is still a need far more driver adapted steering systems to reach a higher level of controllability of the driver/vehicle system. Research within the Volvo Concept Car project showed the possibility of increasing steering controllability. Modern passenger cars are similar to each other with respect to vehicle handling during normal driving. However, at the limit of the tyre side force capability, different cars can still react very differently and sometimes require a great deal of driver adaptation to secure a high level of controllability of the driver/vehicle system. This paper reports how this high level of controllability has been achieved in the Volvo 760 GLE without sacrificing either stability of manoeuvrability. Furthermore, the technical solution of the different vehicle subsystems influencing the steering characteristics are described.