Renault van gets Tenneco active suspension

BRUSSELS, Belgium (Dec. 11, 2014) — Renault Group has chosen the latest generation of Tenneco Inc.'s Continuously Variable Semi-Active suspension system (CVSAe) for the car maker's new Espace seven-passenger van, which debuted at the Paris Motor Show.

Renault said its new Espace “explores a new dimension of driving enjoyment,” calling the vehicle “a wholly immersive experience, giving rise to more sensations and putting the choice of emotions in the hands of the driver.”

The concept of “driving pleasure” is supported by a new Renault technology called Multi-Sense — a device that controls and coordinates the input of the technologies installed in the new Espace. According to the company, Multi-Sense manages the 4Control chassis, electronic damper control system, which commands the CVSAe dampers.

These “enhance the comfort and handling of a vehicle's ride by continuously adjusting all four shock absorbers up to 100 times per second to changing road conditions and dynamic driving situations like cornering, lane changes, acceleration and braking, Renault said. A vehicle's CVSAe dampers can be switched from standard to sport or comfort mode at any time according to driver preferences, according to the company, for a more comfortable, more dynamic or more sporty ride.

Gérard Payen, Renault's deputy program director, said the new Espace “offers a driving experience that changes according to the driver's mood and a spectrum of on-road performance characteristics. It is capable of adapting its characteristics to

deliver the appropriate sensations, making it a little like owning several cars all rolled into one.”

Sandro Paparelli, vice president and general manager, Tenneco Ride Performance Europe, said Renault is “committed to meeting the needs of our customers as they design vehicles capable of adapting to different environments, situations or ride preferences to offer consumers both comfort and performance, and the freedom to choose their driving experience.”

CVSA technology is in production on 37 vehicle models, with applications for nine new vehicle models under development.

CVSAe is part of Tenneco's Monroe Intelligent Suspension portfolio, which includes adaptive suspension solutions (DualMode) for compact cars and semi-active solutions with external valve (CVSAe), internal valve (CVSAi) and two independent valves (CVSA2) for mid-range and higher-end cars. The portfolio also includes CVSA2/Kinetic and ACOCAR active suspension solutions for premium luxury cars, high-end sports cars and SUVs with off-road capability.

Tenneco designs, manufactures and markets clean air and ride performance products and systems for automotive, commercial truck and off-highway original equipment markets and the aftermarket under the Monroe, Walker, XNOx and CleviteElastomer brand names.