Success Story
ZF in the Opel Insignia
Only just on the market and already an award winner and a sales hit: the new Opel Insignia picked up the award for Car of the Year 2009. Contributing to this success story is the FlexRide adaptive suspension system, based on ZF technology.
Individualization for more driving pleasure
The FlexRide option in the Opel Insignia makes it possible to adapt the suspension tuning to the driver’s individual style. The basis of this is the CDC (Continuous Damping Control) electronic damping system from ZF. Even in “normal” driving mode, CDC’s adaptive damping ensures that the degree of damping is adjusted to the driving style. Sensors collect data on road conditions, vehicle speed and driver actions. From this data, the electronic system calculates exactly the correct damping force every five milliseconds. CDC also reacts at lightning speed in an emergency, ensuring extra safety that can save lives. Spontaneous swerving automatically activates a stiff characteristic which allows much better handling in the threshold range.
Vibration damping at the touch of a button
In addition to standard tuning, the Opel Insignia offers the choice between a harder or softer setup – either can be selected by pressing a button on the dashboard. In sport mode, the vibration damping is harder. This, together with the changed parameters for gas pedal and transmission control, produces a dynamic driving experience. These settings can be further personalized in the on-board computer. Don’t want the all-wheel system active in sport mode? No problem. CDC adapts to these new conditions without any fuss.
Fun – and safe – driving
Opel has been relying on the CDC electronic damping system for some time. In 2004, it offered adaptive damping as an option for the new-generation Astra. This was the first time ZF technology was deployed in the compact class – and Opel thereby underlined its philosophy of “introducing advanced and meaningful technology at an early stage into broad market segments.” Because CDC provides for not only more safety and comfort, but more dynamic driving as well, Opel added it to the sporty OPC versions of the Astra, Zafira, and the Insignia’s predecessor, the Vectra.
Further Information
Holger Kirsch
Trade Press Passenger Cars
Tel. +49 7541 77-2488
Fax. +49 7541 77-90 2488
holger.kirsch@zf.com
