Mclaren MP4-29 Pre-launch Speculation

[Polemik]

Article on the innovative rear suspension (translated from Italian) :

http://translate.google.de/translate?sl ... ez&act=url

[Huntresa]

Article on the innovative rear suspension (translated from Italian) :

http://translate.google.de/translate?sl ... ez&act=url

Wrong article

[FrukostScones]

Article on the innovative rear suspension (translated from Italian) :

http://translate.google.de/translate?sl ... ez&act=url

Wrong article

the right one is not to far away...

[Pup]

Takes about the same energy to post the correct link as it does to complain about the wrong one.

http://translate.google.com/translate?s ... lla-mp4-29

[Manoah2u]

i tried but i can't make a single understanding out of this googlinglish....what a mess.

anybody understands exactly how this thing would work, i'm sorry i look at the picture and it's very interesting but i'm
puzzled in understanding exactly how this is functioning

[Pup]

Google has an impossible time with Italian for some reason. I think the idea is that the a-arms will converge closer to the body, though remain separate, with the front and rear members running parallel and forming something of a slotted wing.

Or it could be something completely different.

[wesley123]

The way I read it, and the image with the article, I am reading something about moving the pull-rod and suspension elements closer together and clearing up this "tunnel" that is part of the wheel hub.

[Pierce89]

The way I read it, and the image with the article, I am reading something about moving the pull-rod and suspension elements closer together and clearing up this "tunnel" that is part of the wheel hub.

This. Judging by the pic it seem like they want the suspension to meet the upright closer to the car centerline to free up "brake duct" area.

[Pup]

I believe the area you are talking about is only allowed because it lies within the area for brake ducts. To go beyond that, then they would have to do something clever with the suspension members themselves. You couldn't just widen that area. Saying that they form a 'shutter' of some sort leads me to think that they are trying for a single, wide upper arm with a slot to conform to the regs. Essentially doing what you guys are talking about, but keeping within the regs. ATM Andy posted a photo of a slotted CF piece on Atlas. Perhaps the two are related.

Getting the upper arm to coincide with the driveshaft would mean that the lower arm would pretty much be on the floor though, no? Not sure about this.

Moving the pull rod to the inside of the brake duct would be a tricky structural problem, but wouldn't constitute a revolutionary design I don't think, not in itself.

[wesley123]

I don't think they will be widening the area. but rather take the pullrod and connect it to the arm further inboard to the A-arm. That would also explain the increase in forces and rigidity the article is talking about.

[Pup]

See my edit. Anticipating your reply, I was.

[Lazy]

I believe the area you are talking about is only allowed because it lies within the area for brake ducts. To go beyond that, then they would have to do something clever with the suspension members themselves. You couldn't just widen that area. Saying that they form a 'shutter' of some sort leads me to think that they are trying for a single, wide upper arm with a slot to conform to the regs. Essentially doing what you guys are talking about, but keeping within the regs. ATM Andy posted a photo of a slotted CF piece on Atlas. Perhaps the two are related.

Getting the upper arm to coincide with the driveshaft would mean that the lower arm would pretty much be on the floor though, no? Not sure about this.

Moving the pull rod to the inside of the brake duct would be a tricky structural problem, but wouldn't constitute a revolutionary design I don't think, not in itself.

That had crossed my mind too.

[Huntresa]

Scarbs on the mclaren suspension, " Im confused all teams have that set up already? I suspect the inner ends of the wishbones will be shrouded in a static fairing "

[scarbs]

Yes, I was only looking at the images and not the translation when I posted that. The rear brake ducts do not seem to be a part of this solution at all!

From what I can understand of the google translation, the team will mount the rear track rod in cascade with the top rear wishbone, to create a slight beam wing effect (within the +/-5 degree rule).

I think a better effect could be used to exploit the height and width of bodywork allowed between the wheels to create a shroud around some of the rear suspension, such that it forms an aerofoil. As the shroud would be attached to the chassis and not the wishbones, it would not move with the suspension and can be shaped freely. The aero offset would be quite a large blockage ahead of the diffuser, but the design might have an aero pay off.

[tuj]

Will this design require stiffer rear rates than a 'conventional' setup? If so, would that potentially work against the Mclaren as I would think softer rears especially in heave would be desired given the increased torque this year?