1980s
Published on December 21st, 2020 |
by BajaBusta
1988: GMC Sierra AR400
Ever since General Motors acquired a controlling interest in Group Lotus, its divisions experimented with active suspension. GMC applied this technology to a four-wheel-drive pickup truck, a special Sierra 400 built for the 1988 Chicago Auto Show.
Just as in the revolutionary Lotus 88 racing car, the Sierra featured a computer-controlled hydraulic actuator at each wheel in place of a conventional shock absorber. Displacement, load, and acceleration sensors fed input to a large computer, which in turn actuated the suspension through a high-volume hydraulic pump. In prototype form, the active-ride system added 400 pounds to the truck’s weight.
The active ride (hence, A/R) suspension promoted crisper transitions on the highway. Off-road, it smothered washboard surfaces, prevented bottoming, and did a good job of isolating the cab from the turmoil at ground level. The only drawback was the oversized hydraulic pump absorbed 40 bhp of the engine’s output.
1997 GMC Sierra Manufacturer Promo
1999 GMC Sierra Test Drive
Tags: 1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II, 1988 GMC Sierra AR400, A/R 400, Active suspension, Concept Car, General Motors, GM, GMC, GMC Sierra, GMT400, hydraulic suspension, lotus active suspension, Newsday Tuesday, newsdaytuesday, Old News, Prototype, Sierra
