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KWSP awarded Niche Vehicle Network grant

High-performance engineering solutions provider, KW Special Projects (KWSP) in collaboration with Wesley Motorsport Design (WMD), has been awarded a grant from the Niche Vehicle Network (NVN) to develop a novel suspension system for high-performance and urban mobility vehicles.

KWSP will lead on the development, alongside WMD. The proof-of-concept suspension system, DriverLean, will enable vehicles to tilt variably across its wheelbase with the use of in-hub electric motors, and is being designed for integration within single occupancy vehicles. The new system has the potential to further enhance benefits offered by low-emission vehicles, by boosting a number of areas including grip, rolling resistance, load-handling, cabin space and emissions.

Kieron Salter, managing director of KWSP, commented: “The automotive industry is evolving at a rate never seen before, with the drive towards developing cleaner, more efficient vehicles across the entire industry leading the charge.

“With this in mind, it is important that we don’t just focus on creating more efficient engines but we look at other systems such as suspension to help reduce emissions even further by decreasing vehicle wear and increasing efficiency. This is where projects such as DriverLean will play a critical role.”

Wesley Wong, managing director of WMD, added: “We are proud to be working on this project and delighted that NVN has granted us the funding to help make the suspension system a reality.”

The NVN funding was announced at this year’s Cenex-LCV show on 7 September 2017. DriverLean is 50% funded by NVN, through Innovate UK and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles, with the remainder of the project funded by KWSP and WMD. The proof-of-concept system is anticipated to be ready for testing and validation within a test platform by February 2018.

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