Do you have the feeling that most of the chassis of EVs represented by Tesla are stiff, and according to them, “having a better sporty chassis tuning” can bring better driving performance and cater to the young consumers, which sounds fine, but Tesla seems to be the first to upgrade the suspension system of Model 3 and Model Y.
Did Tesla improve and re-optimise the chassis?
2023-2024 Suspension improvements
The Model Y models produced from 2023 received a hardware upgrade to the suspension system to improve the driving experience, and officials have since said that all vehicles produced in 2023 will come with the updated suspension for better comfort.Adaptive suspension will also be available on the new Model 3 Performance in 2024.
Most users welcome these upgrades, but those with families may also complain that the suspension is too bumpy. Some people think that Tesla knows the market better now, but how far have they optimised the suspension?
Tesla Spring Stiffness
Actually, the suspension upgrade is optimised for the Spring stiffness of the top support of the Model Y damper, which can filter out the feeling of impact caused by the road surface to a greater extent.
At the same time, in the details of the upgrade, it also reduces the stiffness of the vehicle springs by 2N/mm-5N/mm through the optimisation of damping and elastic parts in the suspension system, which reduces the feeling of bumps brought about by the vehicle’s vertical bouncing, and enlarges the suspension’s comfortable Characteristics.
Sounds slightly complicated, in short, in fact, is the low-speed bumps in the car is smaller, more comfortable, but also to ensure high-speed driving stability, support, will not affect the driving control.
Suspension’s direct impact on Autopilot
As we all know, Tesla has a set of very leading intelligent driving system Autopilot, or AP for short, its main function is not only to have the ability of autopilot, but also to ensure the safety of driving in emergencies.
For example, if you are distracted while driving at high speeds, AP will help you to correct the direction, and when there is an obstacle in front of you suddenly, or when the vehicle is blocking and changing the lanes, AP will help you to carry out emergency evasion (triggering AP has a certain chance, not 100%). AP has a certain chance, not 100%).
Often at high speeds or under extreme conditions, emergency evasion requires a high level of suspension, so there is no doubt that the rigid sporty style is conducive to the execution and handling of these emergencies.
In addition, due to the heavy mass of the EV, if the comfort tuning is not well-tuned, there is a high risk of a more dangerous situation when AP is triggered.
Can not be ignored is that from the Tesla Model Y or most of the chassis structure of the electric car, in fact, they have a higher tuning ceiling than the fuel car.
For example, the battery chassis integration technology can reduce the vehicle’s centre of gravity, at the same time, no engine, transmission constraints can be a better distribution of front and rear weight distribution ratio of the vehicle.
Double-wishbone and multi-link suspensions
Because there is a lot of space for more complex double-wishbone and multi-link suspensions with higher upper limits, the chassis tuning potential of the Tesla Model 3/Y is bound to be further unleashed after a large amount of driving data is available for better calibration.
Chassis wear
Model Y is a medium-sized SUV, although and Model 3 has a high degree of product similarity, but the product features have a higher tuning redundancy, such as its high ground clearance for it to fight for more upgraded suspension possibilities.
We must know that the chassis of the electric car is the weakest place, especially like the Tesla Model Y, Model 3 such as the use of battery integration technology, once the cut chassis will bring a lot of safety and maintenance trouble.
Cuts chassis will bring a lot of safety and maintenance trouble, and the use of more comfortable tuning will inevitably make the suspension softer, suspension travel will also be larger, will only bring the risk of “bottoming out”!
Aftermarket suspension system
It is worth mentioning that because of the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y suspension problems there is a good market for shock absorbers in the tuning market.
Let’s take a look at some of the world’s most famous shock absorber brands to give you more options!!!
**listed in no particular order
KW’s star product, the V3 is independently adjustable with 16 stages of rebound damping and 12 stages of low-speed compression damping, and high-speed compression damping is factory preset. For those who like to pursue passion, you can also choose it as one of the options.
Famous for its rally car shock absorbers, it has now shifted its focus to the general civilian car field, and its softness can make you feel like sitting on a sofa at home, the only drawback is that the stiffness is lower for the overall handling may not be too good.
Known for building motorbike shock absorbers that do a great job of staying on the ground when improving bumpy road surfaces, providing a good supportive feel and making the vehicle feel more impressive to drive. It is more forgiving on undulating and bumpy surfaces, but has slightly more roll in corners.
Known for its magnetorheological fluid and ECU algorithms, it is a shock absorber that uses magnetorheology as a damping adjuster, and unlike other shock absorbers, it is equipped with an ECU that allows it to adjust the damping value more than 1,000 times per second. It is also an “adaptive” comfort and handling system.
Modifications Affect Warranty
In the Tesla Warranty policy, if you modify or remove the motor or other components yourself, you will lose the warranty on the removed parts or any other warranty that may apply. If you simply replace or add a shock absorber system, you will lose the warranty on the shock absorbers. Therefore, it is necessary to ask for the warranty period of the purchased product when installing it, in order to make up for the original warranty period.
In the choice of modified shock absorbers, should consider their own needs, not just the brand and price, if the modification to do not achieve the goal they want will be a bad thing!
