Squeezer

I've seen suspensions similar to the one in this pic in several supercars such as the Koenigsegg and forumla one cars. see how the shocks are mounted horizontally. Since many supercars use this setup, its probably superior to the vertical shock setup that the S2000 has. And since the S2000 was designed for superior handling, how come the S2000 doesn't use this suspension setup?

eyescream

Maybe because it's expensive? S2000 is like a mass production car compared to Koenigsegg and Carrera GT.

tru

because our engine if mounted the that area and theres a trunk in the back.

dreamcation

Don't forget the Attack is built like that as well. Maybe in ten years or so that will become the norm for most sport cars.

Sebringer

Fundamentally speaking- costs aside- that style suspension has very little travel vs a wishbone/strut style for street which allows the tires to stay relatively flat during suspension travel without gross camber change.

TokeMadBowls420

Those suspension systems are ideally paired with radical negative camber setups, correct? That's the reason behind the fundamental position of the suspension. As the wheel travels upwards, the top of the wheel tends to go inward, and the shock is placed where suspension and the components it works in conjunction with takes less shock, but is much more efficient in doing its job. This requires lots of money (engineering) and the sacrifice of daily comfort.

Of course this is all my hypothesis, any corrections are welcome.

SCoach

In designing suspension for lifted trucks, I quickly learned that vertical suspensions are generally "better" at absorbing bumps. However, almost all suspensions have some compromises. What gets comprimised is often a function of the vehicles.

In a racing vehicle, it is often necessary to keep the primary weight of the far as low as possible. A fully vertical suspension would not be able to accomodate the necessary travel to ensure consistent contacto of the wheel with the ground. So the compromise must me made to use suspension components mounted somewhat less than vertical. This forces the builder to use heavier rate springs, thus gaining more weight in the process. Dampers that can operate effectively when mounted non-vertically are also more expenisve.

It's all a tradeoff...

MagicDave

Have you guys seen the GTM by factory five? Awesome.

Elistan

A lot of it has to do with packaging. A car like the Carrera GT is designed to be as low as possible - using vertically mounted springs/shocks precludes that. Can you imagine an F1 car with shocks sticking up from the wheels attached to some extra chassis bits above the tires?

Destro

Goddamnit-

All right, look. This is what is called a pushrod suspension. The springs (whether they be coil or torsion) and the dampers are actuated by pushrods, through bellcranks. This is the type of suspension used on most types of racing cars, unless the rules specify otherwise. The advantages are:

1) Lower unsprung inertia.
2) Flexibility in setting up the wheel rate change during bump and droop (if you don't know what bump and droop are, you shouldn't be reading this).
3) Complete flexibility in designing the anti-roll system, which will be more easily adjustable, lighter, and more compact.
4) In the case of open-wheel cars, they are certainly more aerodynamic.

Are there other advantages? Maybe, but I think this is a pretty good list.