Progressive Hydraulic Cushions

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Progressive Hydraulic Cushions

Post by GiveMeABreak »

So we now have a better understanding of the new 'unique' suspension technology coming out 'Progressive Hydraulic Cushions' - definitely coming to the C5 Crossover (in China first in 2017) and then should be coming to European markets in 2018.

So it has a hydraulic compression cushion at the top, a damper in the middle and a hydraulic rebound cushion at the bottom. To quote from Citroen directly:
Citroën has developed a new suspension system whose aim is to improve damping quality while maintaining the Citroën characteristics appreciated by Brand customers. Twenty patents have been filed as part of the development of this new suspension system. The principle of operation is simple. Whereas a conventional suspension system is made up of a damper, a spring and a mechanical stop, the Citroën system adds two hydraulic stops – one for rebound and one for compression – on either side.
In this way, the suspension functions in two steps, depending on input:
- With slight compression and rebound, the spring and damper control vertical movement together without applying the hydraulic stops. However, the presence of these stops increases the vehicle's freedom of movement, creating a ""flying carpet"" effect, as if the car were flying over bumps and dips in the road.
- In the event of greater compression and rebound, the spring and damper work together with the hydraulic compression or rebound stop, which gradually slow down the movement, thereby avoiding sudden jolts at the end of travel. Unlike a conventional mechanical stop, which absorbs and then partially restores energy, the hydraulic stop absorbs and dissipates this energy. As a result, there is no rebound.
So all this without an ECU or electro-valve in sight - and note they keep referring to this as the "Magic Carpet Ride" in an attempt to win over the Hydropneumatic / active diehards no doubt!
Practical Demo


Another Explanation


There is also another system - but that seems to be available on DS Automobile ranges:
DS Active Scan Suspension
This doesn't seem to have anything too fancy about the suspension, but has a camera to scan the road ahead and then tell the suspension what to expect, making subtle adjustments.

This sounds almost akin to the revered 2CV suspension system of yesteryear...

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Re: Progressive Hydraulic Cushions

Post by elma »

I had an MTB in 1999 with that, no idea how Citroen have patented 3stage damping. I'm a cynic and a sceptic on this one. I'll take a test drive and give them credit if it's good but I think Citroen will forever end with Xantia for me. I know a lot of you like C5s and C6s but I really aren't into them myself and would never cherish either like a CX, XM, DS or Xantia. Non mechanical non hydro = Peugeot in my mind. Bye bye Citroen, nice knowing you. I wish I was 30years older and could have enjoyed the peak rather than the end of hydro
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Re: Progressive Hydraulic Cushions

Post by demag »

I'm a bit lost as to what holds it up. Are there springs involved? It just looks like a fancy shock absorber to me. I am liking my C5 experience and I would say the suspension is on a par with my XM, maybe better, but similar none the less. Nothing can compare to my D series for pure floatiness, unless going over a humpback bridge at anything more than a snails pace, that was pure terror.

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Re: Progressive Hydraulic Cushions

Post by GiveMeABreak »

demag wrote:Nothing can compare to my D series for pure floatiness, unless going over a humpback bridge at anything more than a snails pace, that was pure terror.

:rofl2: Always got caught out on the CX with that too!
I'm a bit lost as to what holds it up. Are there springs involved?
No that seems it - the DS system seems to show coils as well as shocks in the bottom video, but on the Crossover, it seems just to have the shock - so that looks like the lot.
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Re: Progressive Hydraulic Cushions

Post by elma »

Oh, it's a bit different to my MTB then, patent approved.
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Re: Progressive Hydraulic Cushions

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Yes Citroen have taken out over 20 patents on the system it would seem.
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Re: Progressive Hydraulic Cushions

Post by demag »

MTB....Motor Torpedo Boat? :lol:
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Re: Progressive Hydraulic Cushions

Post by Stickyfinger »

GiveMeABreak wrote:Yes Citroen have taken out over 20 patents on the system it would seem.


Relevant ? not unless it works.
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Re: Progressive Hydraulic Cushions

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Well they would seem to think so to take that many out.
It will no doubt be rolled out to all models shortly after as the cost is insignificant compared to hydractive systems.
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Re: Progressive Hydraulic Cushions

Post by Paul-R »

demag wrote:MTB....Motor Torpedo Boat? :lol:
What I thought as well.
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Re: Progressive Hydraulic Cushions

Post by elma »

MTB = mountain bike.
I'm going with your interpretation from now on though, far cooler.
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Re: Progressive Hydraulic Cushions

Post by white exec »

Yes, would also like to know what holds the car up - surely not that small spring in the unit???
Does whiff a bit of marketing hype for an improved telescopic damper, which incorporates progressive bump stops.
Newly launched models tend to appear very quickly on service.citroen parts pages, so maybe we'll see.

I suppose Citroen have to have something which they can call unique, to justify their separate existence. The budget they have available for this sort of thing is obviously small...
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Re: Progressive Hydraulic Cushions

Post by Stickyfinger »

elma wrote:MTB = mountain bike.
I'm going with your interpretation from now on though, far cooler.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... siast.html
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Re: Progressive Hydraulic Cushions

Post by Sloppysod »

Old thread I know but…
This suspension setup has been rolled out on a number of vehicles so we should now be in a position to get some proper feed back.
So, what's it like?
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Re: Progressive Hydraulic Cushions

Post by GiveMeABreak »

I've driven a few vehicles with it - C5 Aircross, new C4 (C41), and I'm quite impressed with it. Obviously not self-levelling, but it does a brilliant job of soaking up the bumps and is really very comfortable IMO.

A firm but supple ride with excellent damping. By firm, I mean it doesn't pitch or wallow, but at the same time the reaction to the road surface is very quick, with bumps, drain holes and the like easily absorbed. I was really amazed at the ride quality and wish they had extended these to my C3 Aircross. But even the new C3 e electric car available now is being fitted with them.
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