European inspired suspension?

lol It means some Ford engineer stole the idea from two German guys that he over-heard talking about suspension systems in the lunch room.

I suspected it was a gimmick, but is there any significant difference between typical suspension systems between the continuents?

Thd only thing I've ever noticed is that suspension systems on European cars aren't usually as "soft" as most US built cars are. That usually gives you more "road feel".

The Escort has sold fairly well in the UK and I suspect Ford is eliminating as many design differences between the US and European versions. The new US versions probably use the suspension system that the European versions had.

German suspensions have a tendency to be slightly more rigid and more crumple-proof than American suspensions. But it's just a gimmick because people think of German as being "quality". If they really wanted to sell their cars on suspesions they should look at Swiss-engineered Volvo and Saab which have the toughest suspensions of all!

Check out who makes those quality cars.
The Volvo is a Ford these days and Saabs are nothing but Opel Vectras (G.M.)
The Swiss don't have a thing to do with these cars

But who created the suspensions Gordy? It certainly wasn't Ford or GM! They are just following the designs that were in place when they got there!

I suppose you're right Nick.It's just that I am a van driver and when I see an upmarket European car I expect the driver to be so rude and selfish.
The result is when someone talks about that type of car i'm usually first to criticize.I realise it's my problem but I can't help it.

Back to the original post:

I think the differences are; remember when most U.S. cars were built on a separate frame or with a partial unibody with a front subframe?
Those cars usually had a live rear axle with leaf springs and the front was by wishbone.
Euro cars at that time tended to have independent rear suspension and strut and coil springs at the front.

So I think that any car with independent front and rear suspension has now got "Euro" suspension

All of the above is just a theory and could be wrong

Definitely the stiffness. A Cadillac will "float" over bumps and you can steer with your pinky.

A comparably equipped European car; you will feel the road and have "feedback" from the steering wheel. I suspect it has more to do with higher speed limits than anything else. The faster you go, the more "feel" you want/need.

Want comfort- buy American
Want handling- buy European

Want both? Buy a C5 Corvette.

I wonder where my 15-year-old Barina (alias Suzuki Swift) fits in to this.

Uhh........the "motorized roller skate" end of the spectrum?

I seem to recall an article that was in agreement with those who are saying that European suspensions are stiffer than American suspensions, but went on to say the Japanese suspensions were the softest. I don't think it was meant to be complimentary.

The new Chrysler Pacifica supposedly has a rear suspension influenced by Mercedes design. I don't know if that's true, but I do know the Pacifica has very little lean on the severest of curves.