Suspension & Running gear

Improved ride, stability and braking

New Picanto’s suspension and running gear has been developed from the previous model to retain that car’s responsive handling while improving ride quality and refinement.

Rack and pinion steering is fitted for its good balance between steering precision, feel and effort, with electric power-assistance as standard. City driving agility is assured by a turning circle of less than 10 meters.

The MacPherson strut front suspension features an increased castor angle (now 4.1 degrees), for enhanced straight-line driving stability, 12% softer springs and longer wheel travel with shorter (by 20 mm) bump-stops.

At the rear, the CTBA (coupled torsion beam axle) is 60% stiffer (reducing under-steer), with 29% softer springs, shorter (by 15 mm) bump-stops and larger trailing-arm bushes for improved stability and a more compliant ride.

The Picanto’s standard braking system, which features 241mm ventilated front discs and 180 mm drums at the rear, is backed up with ABS anti-lock, EBD electronic brake force distribution, BAS emergency ‘brake assist’ and ESS emergency stop signal systems – in the majority of European countries.

As an option, customer can specify ESC (electronic stability control) which also comes with 234 mm solid rear discs, HAC and the innovative VSM (vehicle stability management) which pro-actively counters understeer and oversteer with corrective steering inputs.

Minimum stopping distance for new Picanto with the all-disc braking system from 100 kph (62 mph) is among the class-best at 41.0 metres and is significantly better than many A-segment cars.