Audi A5 that can literally lean into corners [video]

Video shows a group of engineers working on a suspension system that would allow the A5 to lean when curving

Here is a video which shows a group of engineers working on a suspension system that allows the A5 prototype seen here to lean into curves.

Now, our colleagues at Autoblog.com believe this may be an April Fool's joke. But the original story from Cocheafondo.com says that Audi is working on the leaning suspension technology and using this A5 3.0 liter TDI as a prototype.

We're not quite sure what to make of it. It's could be just an experiment as part of Audi's suspension development.

Or it's a group of students doing something fun on their own - those chaps in the video do look young.

Source: Cocheafondo.com via Autoblog.com

Add a Comment

Comments (19)

newest first oldest first

Subscribe to comments

Broseph Stalin

It rolls!

April 15, 2011 4:35 pm

report abuse | reply

o3n1k

doesnt it feel better if the car leans the opposite way?

April 15, 2011 4:36 pm

report abuse | reply

1 reply

Hellbound

No, leaning INTO the turn lessens the effect of body roll. Leaning away from the turn would increase the effect.

April 15, 2011 5:45 pm

report abuse | reply

xLumino

looks crazy, but it may makes alot of sence. Mercedes invented a study with this feature. it was called the F400 carving I think.. And a brand (Bose i think) was working on fully electronical manages suspensions that can see hills and holes befor the car pass them, so the suspensions can prework to let the driver don't feel any false of the underground... (Testetd in old Lexus LS400) So why shouldn't Audi develop such a technique. Mercedes has ABC since 15 years. The basics for this invention

April 15, 2011 4:37 pm

report abuse | reply

2 replies

NewGit

And long before the Mercedes study you mention, lowriders with crazy adjustable hydraulic suspension were developed.

April 16, 2011 1:04 am

report abuse | reply

atlasmason

it's the same principle in bikes, no? riders would "lean" into their knees when they go around corners.

April 16, 2011 7:31 pm

report abuse | reply

ReyJoe

How much would the technolgy cost the consumers? We are doing fine feeling the G-force inside a car.

April 15, 2011 5:29 pm

report abuse | reply

Hellbound

I actually like this. But, I'd be more impressed if I saw this first being tested on a Maybach, Rolls Royce or VAG's own Bentley. At least then you'd understand the need for making passengers feel more comfortable. All this effort for an Audi A5? So what if it's just a test bed, the quickest way to make the A5 better is to sort out the crappy harsh suspension and numb steering.

April 15, 2011 5:47 pm

report abuse | reply

DdW

It reminds me of the Honda, Toyota and Nissan pod concepts that featured damping technology. Most bullet and high-speed trains has the technology, for cornering railway track bends at high-speed. Nothing revolutionary. But since it was tested on a premium make such as Audi, it could mean much more than just a gimmick. Time will tell whether the technology would be publicly implemented for road use.

April 15, 2011 6:51 pm

report abuse | reply

Spikey888

Those guys are not from Audi I don't think.

April 15, 2011 8:23 pm

report abuse | reply

Shumy

I am pretty sure nearly all of the cars today have this technology in a less effective way. We can definitely see the car leaning but this is not a good thing because passengers have to feel anything while turning a corner.

April 15, 2011 10:27 pm

report abuse | reply

najdier

What am I? 80 years old? In the 80's Lotus worked on active suspension that did all that and more, albeit with what technology was available then. It was all over car magazines of the time. God! I must be getting old.

April 16, 2011 3:58 am

report abuse | reply

9TNine

My friend Chico has a low rider that does that!

April 16, 2011 5:36 am

report abuse | reply

X CHRIS CROSS X

AARRGGG i thought of this ages ago, it seems so obious shifting the centre of gravity to help a car corner and reduce lateral G-force. Im surprised it hasnt been implemented into ordinary cars already

April 16, 2011 2:54 pm

report abuse | reply

cronan

It?s not an April Fool's joke. http://www.fourtitude.com/news/publish/Audi_News/article_6724.shtml http://forums.fourtitude.com/entry.php?494-Video-Querkraftfrei-Audi-A5-Featured-on-YouTube-by-Autobild

April 16, 2011 3:35 pm

report abuse | reply

pmontero

Well folks let me tell you, that car is registered in Ingolstadt as can be seen on the license plates... so it?s highly likely that it is an Audi project indeed.

April 18, 2011 2:33 am

report abuse | reply

wjaprep

hydrolics?

April 18, 2011 5:30 am

report abuse | reply

Siawa

Why do I find it completely useless?

April 18, 2011 6:17 am

report abuse | reply

Grey

usually they design suspension to prevent the car from flipping at turns this would promote flipping i dont think the insurance company will find this technology to their liking...

April 19, 2011 4:35 pm

report abuse | reply