In this section, we will take a look at the last type of automobile suspension, which is usually used for rear wheels.

In the H-arm system, one end of the arm is connecting to two locations of the car body; another end connects to two locations of the wheel hub. The H-arm alone can limit 4 degrees of freedom, so it need another horizontal control arm to limit one more degree to make the whole system with 1 degree of freedom.

However the above design has non-optimal wheel movement trajectory, most automaker will not use such design without modifications...

Lexus never sold a diesel engine vehicle in US, even though there is something like the IS200d sold in some European markets.

Latest news claims Toyota is planning to put its 1VD-FTV 4.5L diesel V8 engine into its LX luxury SUV. The same diesel engine has already been placed into the Land Cruiser previously. The diesel equipped LX will be named LX450d.

This 1VD-FTV engine is using two variable geometry turbo (VGT) chargers, with common rail direct injection system. The version installed on the Land Cruiser is rated at 261hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. We are expected to see the same number on the LX450d.

However, Lexus ...

The trend of long wheelbase version seems to affect US market considerably in the recent years, for example the upcoming 2015 Infiniti M70L, also the news that Tesla is considering LWB version of the Model S.

The same thing happens to the Volvo’s entry level compact car: the S60. The long wheelbase version of this model (S60L) is available in China market starting from last year. Now news coming from Volvo management saying that, the Swedish auto maker has made the decision to export the S60L to the US market starting next year. Despite the standard S60 which is made in Sweden, the LWB S60L will be made in Volvo’s Chengdu factory, in Sichuan Province, China...

Insider news from Tesla Motors indicates there are plans in the pipeline for the hot-selling Model S: an extended wheelbase version (with extra battery capacity because of the additional space), and the all-wheel-drive option across the product line.

However, these plans comes without surprise. That is because we have already heard some customers’ complaint about the not-so-roomy rear seat legroom (considering its 116.5-in standard wheelbase), and the winter driving considerations for people live around the snowbelt areas.

These options are also welcomed in oversea markets...

Now let’s take a look at the third type of automobile suspension: the MacPherson type system. For simplicity, you can consider the MacPherson suspension to be the double wishbone suspension with the upper A-arm replaced by a vertical strut, whose upper end is rigidly fixed to the car body’s strut tower.

In the following chart, the one highlighted as “Original” is the most original MacPherson suspension. Of course there are multiple variations...