De Dion - the predecessor of modern rear suspension

The Dion
De Dion rear suspension

It brings together the virtues of rigid suspension and the independent Multilink, a good rear-wheel drive suspension solution once used by Alfe, now Smart and Twingo.

De Dion, is an advanced version of the rear rigid suspension, which connects the virtues of a rigid bridge and independent suspension. The rear wheels are connected by a rigid link (bridge), but separated from the differential, which is fixed to the body. 

De Dion rear suspension
De Dion rear suspension

The drive connection is made similar to that of modern independent suspensions, with a separate shaft and two homokinetic joints on each side. Its main advantage is that it reduces unavoidable masses and the risk of bouncing the wheel on bumpy asphalt. 

In addition, the lateral inclination of the wheels does not change in the normal way, regardless of the load, which is good for lateral guidance. 

Thus De Dion unites the benefits of rigid and independent suspension. It was mostly used by Alfa Romeo and in the 60's Opel, Maserati.. 

Today it is being built into Renault Twingo and Smart ForFour and ForTwo. 

Retrieved from: autoportal.hr
Author: Zeljko Marusic


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