20 cover story cover story 21 Vehicle Dynamics AWARDS International Awards 2008 THE JUDGING PANEL HAS VOTED AND THE SCORES HAVE BEEN TALLIED. WELCOME TO THE RESULTS OF THE INAUGURAL VEHICLE DYNAMICS INTERNATIONAL AwARDS! In an increasingly To put together this inaugural set From the nominations received, demanding and of awards, we did a number of things: and with input of its own, the VDI competitive consumer First, we recruited a jury of editorial team selected a shortlist of market, a vehicle’s respected international automotive nominations, four in each category, ride and handling is an important journalists (see panel overleaf), to be judged by the full jury. Then element in a purchasing decision. many of whom are contributors to we added up the scores to find the Auto engineers are under more VDI, and all of whom are very well winner and a highly commended pressure than ever to deliver the informed in the field of vehicle ride runner-up in each category. optimum ride. Brand reputations and handling technologies. The Vehicle Dynamics International can be made or broken on the back Next, we asked vehicle Awards will become an annual event. of a vehicle’s ride and handling manufacturers and supplier So remember, when you’re busy technologies. The Vehicle Dynamics companies to highlight to us any launching new cars or technologies International Awards acknowledge innovations or developments they in 2009, or find yourself working for such efforts, rewarding not only would like us to consider. Every a talented, inspirational leader, don’t automotive engineers, but also the new vehicle introduced to any one forget to tell us about it! companies that supply and service market from November 1, 2007 to their efforts. November 1, 2008 was eligible. Graham Heeps, editor issue 4 2008 issue 4 2008 22 cover story cover story 23 DYNAMICS TEAM OF THE YEAR Dynamics Team of the Year Development Tool of the Year DEVELOPMENT TOOL OF THE YEAR Winner Winner Ford Ford of Europe has become synonymous with dynamic excellence, so it’s Another category with real diversity on the shortlist was Development Tool of the Year, where a Four-Corner Damper System with Highly commended perhaps no surprise to see the Blue Oval as the winner of Dynamics Team damper test rig, a GPS datalogger, a kinetics and compliance measurement system, and software for mHIL – MTS/Nissan of the Year. But winning this award was not a formality for Ford, and ever- Audi (pictured) chassis controls design were all in the running. Highly commended improving Audi pushed its rival all the way to the trophy, before finishing Also shortlisted In the event, the judges backed the Mechanical Hardware-in-the-Loop (mHIL) Four-Corner Damper VB20SL3 – Racelogic (pictured) in the Highly Commended runner-up position. Nor should the remaining two System, a joint nomination by Nissan Motor Company in Japan and US test equipment specialist Prodrive nominees be forgotten: both Prodrive and Renault Sport have a deep-rooted Renault Sport MTS Systems Corporation. Under the system (shown below), four physical dampers are placed in load commitment to vehicle dynamics excellence that shows up time after time in frames and integrated with a vehicle model to execute simulated vehicle maneuvers. This capability Also shortlisted the companies’ products. supports the tasks of CAE validation, troubleshooting, and pre-tuning before vehicle prototypes are SPMM 4000 HS – Anthony Best Ford’s Dynamics Team of the Year accolade is not restricted to engineers on available. mHIL benefits include reduced development time and cost, reduced test cycle time, reduced Dynamics one continent. Having established something of a powerbase in Europe, Ford rework, and improved vehicle performance. “During the preparation phase mHIL damper testing MapleSim – MapleSoft has been sharing vehicle dynamics expertise and processes with its other divisions around the world. revealed several unknowns that were solved before integrating our dampers into a vehicle prototype, In Australia, for example, the FG Falcon is winning plaudits; EPS makes its Ford North America debut reducing vehicle testing by at least one month,” explained Youichi Sakai of Nissan Motor Company in the revised Fusion; and in 2010 US customers will receive the Fiesta. Not only is Fiesta (whose in Japan. “At Nissan, we will reduce vehicle prototypes, but there will always be system prototyping ride and handling team is pictured below) a great small car when size and energy efficiency are more with mHIL.” important than ever, but its accessible dynamics ensure that customers in global markets from the Commenting on the verdict, judge Adam Gavine, editor of Automotive Testing Technology USA to China will be able to save the planet with smiles on their faces. International, said, “In an era where suppliers and car makers are looking to cut development time The man at the head of Ford’s dynamics team, executive technical leader vehicle dynamics, Pim van and costs, it’s clear that the MTS mHIL Four-Corner Damper testing technology is proving to be a der Jagt (inset), was delighted with the award: “I think that with the new Fiesta, Ford has proved critical tool for test engineers and dynamicists at Nissan.” once again its outstanding expertise in vehicle dynamics,” he said. “We are very happy to get such positive feedback from the media, not only for Fiesta but also for the new Ka. We are very proud of this award in particular because the jury consists of such a great number of international experts. I’m confident that our team will continue to do everything to maintain this high level of vehicle dynamics performance with our upcoming products.” THE JURY Kim Wolfkill, Graham Heeps, editor, Graham Johnson, Managing Mike Magda, Jonas Jarlmark, Juergen Zoellter, publisher, MSN Autos, USA Vehicle Dynamics International Director, UKIP Media & Events freelance writer, USA technical editor, Automobil, Sweden Wolfkill held the positions of Heeps came to motoring Johnson was the launch editor of Hugely knowledgeable about Jarlmark juggles his freelance writer, Germany online editor and senior editor journalism five years ago after a Vehicle Dynamics International in anything with horsepower, Vehicle commitments as a freelance “I have the best job on earth!” in seven years at Road & Track. passion for cars and an ambition 2003 and continued to lead the Dynamics International’s man on vehicle dynamics engineer with says Zoellter, who contributes Since 2006 he has been publisher to write got the better of a career magazine until mid-2005, when he became the US west coast keeps a close eye on the freelance writing, principally as technical articles to more than 30 of MSN Autos, based in Seattle. Wolfkill in software development. At the helm of managing director of UKIP Media & Events, country’s automotive and racing scenes. editor of Sweden’s Automobil magazine. publications, including the has raced karts at an amateur level, and GT/ Vehicle Dynamics International since 2005, VDI’s publisher. A car enthusiast and club Formerly technical director of the Flash German titles Focus, Welt am Sonntag, Touring cars professionally, competing three he has also been editor of Professional racer, he is still an occasional contributor Brian Cowan, Engineering team in Swedish Touring Cars, Autobild and Autozeitung, and Car&Driver times in the 24 Hours of Daytona sportscar Motorsport World since its launch in 2006. to VDI and sister publication Professional his biggest job in 2008 has been as SEAT in the USA, for which he is European endurance race. Motorsport World. freelance writer, Asia & Pacific Sport driver Rickard Rydell’s race engineer in correspondent. The New Zealander is a fan of WTCC. Adam Gavine, editor, Automotive everything with wheels and an Mike Sutton, Matt Davis, John Miles, vehicle dynamics Testing Technology International engine. A motoring journalist associate editor, Ward’s Auto, USA Although he has been a lifelong freelance writer, Italy with decades of experience, he Dean Slavnich, editor, European engineer and journalist Sutton is an associate editor fan of James Bond cars ever Italy-based, USA-born Davis has is a regular contributor to Vehicle Dynamics Automotive Components News From garage mechanic to F1 for Southfield, Michigan-based since seeing Goldfinger as a boy, been in motoring journalism for International and its sister titles. Slavnich joined the editorial team racer, and motoring journalist to Ward’s Automotive Group, as well Gavine appreciates the fruits of every car 13 years. In an ideal location to of Vehicle Dynamics International respected chassis engineer, Miles as managing editor of the Ward’s Engine & maker’s labors. On board for the very first cover the latest products from Italy’s supercar Michael Scarlett, when he came to UKIP Media & has done it all in his 40 years in Vehicle Technology Update. He serves as an issue of Vehicle Dynamics International, manufacturers, Davis is highly respected Events in 2005 from Automotive Engineer, the the auto industry. It was during his time as a in-house specialist in vehicle powertrains, the Scotsman contributes to VDI alongside by news outlets worldwide, including Auto freelance writer, UK magazine of the UK’s Institute of Mechanical dynamicist at Lotus that the company became dynamics and electronics at Ward’s, and is his roles in charge of Automotive Testing Express, Genroq, Gente Motori and Auto As a very experienced former Engineers. As editor of European Automotive known for its contract engineering work on an experienced high-performance driver. Technology International, Crash Test Week, not to mention Vehicle Dynamics Autocar staffer and European Car Components News, Slavnich keeps a keen eye chassis projects. He now works at Multimatic Technology International and Tire Technology International. of the Year juror, Scarlett takes on the latest technologies and trends in the while continuing to share his expertise with International.