Video: A Look at the Unique Suspension Used on Modern Formula 1 Cars (Torsion Bars, Really?)

https://www.youtube.com/embed/FNepYY7KxaA

Formula 1 may be at the cutting edge of automotive performance, but multiple constraints like weight, packaging and—believe it or not—cost force teams to create unique ways to get the maximum amount of performance out of its cars.

Take, for instance, the front suspension on this Formula 1 car. Instead of coil springs, cars use torsion bars. How does that seemingly old-school technology translate? Watch and learn. 

This video was created by Driver61. Check out more of their content on their website and YouTube channel.

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
11/25/20 9:32 a.m.

Aren't torsion bars really just coil springs that aren't wound up into a coil?

buzzboy
buzzboy Dork
11/25/20 9:50 a.m.

Or is it like an infinite number of infinitely small coils in one piece?

Dead_Sled
Dead_Sled HalfDork
11/25/20 10:07 a.m.

Coil springs are really just long torsion bars packaged differently.  The majority of the "spring" in a coil spring comes from the twisting of the coil rather than bending.

I've always thought a torsion bar front suspension would be cool for a challenge car.  Weight down low, more room under hood for engine swaps.  

Mr_Asa
Mr_Asa SuperDork
11/25/20 10:08 a.m.

Without watching, I'd bet part of it is to get the CG down as low as possible.

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
11/25/20 10:35 a.m.
buzzboy said:

Or is it like an infinite number of infinitely small coils in one piece?

Duuuuude. What if we're all just made of springs all the way down? 

Keith Tanner
Keith Tanner GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
11/25/20 10:36 a.m.
Dead_Sled said:

I've always thought a torsion bar front suspension would be cool for a challenge car.  Weight down low, more room under hood for engine swaps.  

There have already been Challenge cars with torsion suspension, because my CRX has them in the front and I know they've been to the Challenge.

It's one of the few things a Toyota truck and a 1st gen CRX share, when I think about it.

slantvaliant (Forum Supporter)
slantvaliant (Forum Supporter) UltraDork
11/25/20 12:26 p.m.
Dead_Sled said:

I've always thought a torsion bar front suspension would be cool for a challenge car.  Weight down low, more room under hood for engine swaps.  

Longitudinal torsion bars up front sometimes limit header placement in front-engine cars.  That's one reason there are coil conversions for classic Mopars.  

Me? I like my T-bars.  

buzzboy
buzzboy Dork
11/25/20 5:34 p.m.

My first car(standard beetle) had torsion springs all around. I proceeded to do stupid and regretable things to them.

adam525i (Forum Supporter)
adam525i (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
11/25/20 5:43 p.m.

Ferdinand Porsche, still cutting edge 90 years later.

AaronT
AaronT Reader
11/26/20 11:16 a.m.
Keith Tanner said:
buzzboy said:

Or is it like an infinite number of infinitely small coils in one piece?

Duuuuude. What if we're all just made of springs all the way down? 

I did not expect to see psychedelics sprinkled on my GRM this morning.

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