Suspension (Front suspension): Description and operation (page 2 of 2)

The front suspension has been carefully developed to combine refinement with robustness.

The independent MacPherson struts are located by transverse lower arms and forward facing longitudinal tie rods. The anti – roll bar is secured to the lower arms via links and is 19 mm diameter on 1.4 models, 23 mm diameter on 1.6, 2.0 and Diesel models and 25 mm diameter on Coupe models.

On the MacPherson strut, the spring centre line is offset from the damper centre line to compensate for side loads inherent in MacPherson struts. This reduces damper friction resulting in improved ride characteristics.

High longitudinal compliance gives cabin isolation, over high frequency large amplitude inputs (e.g. pot holes), on a par with much larger cars. Geometry is well controlled to give good handling responses. A spring aid and spacer is fitted in place of the bump stop to uprated sports suspensions.