What is air suspension?
Air suspension is one of the new car technologies used mainly by professionals like racers. It uses a powerful airbag to hold the weight otherwise held by coil-overs or leaf suspensions. This way the ground clearance (height) of the car can be adjusted by a computer. The car can be raised on for example an off-road area and lowered on a race track. Air in pumped into or let out from the airbag to do this. Although this can be adjusted to some extent in other types of suspension too but it is not possible to do it during driving.
How air suspension works?
Air suspension systems use a strong plastic-rubber bag that is filled with air. It uses an electric pump or compressor to adjust the amount and pressure of air. In some systems, a reservoir is also used. Pressure is stored in it before being pressed into the bag. The system is controlled by a computer which can be the car’s main one. The driver can control the system through an interface which may be buttons or a touch screen. When the command to increase ground clearance is given, air is pumped into the bag from which it rises. When it is to be lowered, some systems release the air into the surroundings while others return it to the reservoir. The latter saves some energy because it does not waste the pressure created by the pump.
Which cars have air suspension?
Almost all of the good car makers include this system in their new cars especially in sports cars and SUVs. Mainly they include Mercedes Benz, Audi, Volvo, Land Rover, Bugatti, Subaru, Volkswagen, Tesla, Porsche, Lexus, Lincoln and Chrysler.
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