Tenneco's Monroe Intelligent Suspension-Equipped Rivian R1T Targeting New Heights in Saturday’s Pikes Peak Hill Climb
June 21 2024 - 8:30AM
Rivian engineer Gardner Nichols’ first encounter with the famed
Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC), in 2023, resulted in a
new elapsed-time record (11:23.983) for production electric pickup
trucks. Nichols and his Monroe Intelligent Suspension-equipped
second-generation Rivian R1T Quad-Motor will return to “America’s
Mountain” with even higher goals as they compete in the Exhibition
Division of this year’s PPIHC on Saturday. And Nichols, senior
performance engineer for Rivian, expects the truck’s leading-edge
KINETIC® suspension – standard equipment on R1T and R1S models –
will once again play a pivotal role in achieving his goals.
“With my background in vehicle dynamics and test driving, I
understand the benefits of maintaining optimal balance and traction
in all operating environments, especially throughout the sustained
climb and more than 150 tight turns at Pikes Peak,” Nichols said.
“Our Monroe Intelligent Suspension system was a significant
competitive advantage last year by keeping us firmly connected to
the surface and helping me enter and exit each turn with greater
power and speed.”
Each R1T’s factory-equipped Monroe Intelligent Suspension system
features four semi-active CVSA2 lightweight electronic dampers
interconnected with KINETIC hydraulic roll control technology.
Together these technologies instantaneously adapt to changing
operating dynamics to maintain optimal vehicle balance and
stability and provide increased wheel articulation and traction. In
addition to the Rivian R1T pickup and the R1S SUV, the Monroe
Intelligent Suspension KINETIC system is featured on a variety of
SUV and sports car models from leading global OEMs.
“Rivian and other leading automakers have adopted KINETIC
technology to deliver a superior driving experience in all
situations, whether it’s on a racetrack, offroad, rock climbing or
in a normal daily driving environment,” said Bob Hughes, Interim
Leader Monroe Ride Solutions, Tenneco.
Rivian’s second generation R1T pickup rolled off the
manufacturing validation line in late March and had just two miles
on the odometer heading into the first of two weekends of pre-race
testing. “Between five test days, we got exposure to every part of
the racecourse,” Nichols said. “Those who are new to Pikes Peak may
be surprised that the only time a driver gets to run the whole
course continuously in one attempt is on race day. During our final
practice morning, we consistently set times five to six seconds
faster than our 2022 R1T.”
Nichols' support team is made up of a handful of Rivian
employees, although the effort began as a “passion project” for
hundreds of contributors across all areas of the EV manufacturer’s
business. “Unlike other OEMs participating in this year’s race, we
haven’t spent tens of thousands of dollars on private test days or
contracted an outside race team to run this effort,” he said.
“Everyone working on this project still has a regular day job at
Rivian and it is a full in-house effort.”
The PPIHC Exhibition Division is reserved for prototype or
preproduction vehicles. Other divisions are: Unlimited – exotic
vehicles designed for PPIHC; Time Attack 1 – two- and
four-wheel-drive modified, specialized, production-based vehicles;
GT4 Trophy – a spec division for GT4 racecars; Open Wheel –
single-engine, single-seat vehicles with open wheels and cockpit;
and Pikes Peak Open – highly modified stock-appearing vehicles.
In addition to KINETIC technology, the Monroe Intelligent
Suspension portfolio includes the CVSAe semi-active suspension,
which continuously adapts vehicle damping characteristics based on
inputs from multiple onboard sensors. This system is featured on
more than 80 popular vehicle models.
Tenneco is also one of the world’s leading manufacturers of
passive dampers for the original equipment and replacement markets.
Click here to learn more about the full portfolio of Monroe
Intelligent Suspension technologies or here for detailed
information concerning Monroe OE Solutions passive dampers.
About Tenneco
Tenneco is one of the world's leading designers, manufacturers,
and marketers of automotive products for original equipment and
aftermarket customers. Through our DRiV, Performance Solutions,
Clean Air and Powertrain business groups, Tenneco is driving
advancements in global mobility by delivering technology solutions
for light vehicle, commercial truck, off-highway, industrial,
motorsport and the aftermarket.
Visit www.tenneco.com to learn
more.
Contact:Simonetta EspositoGlobal
CommunicationsTennecoSesposito@tenneco.com
Photos accompanying this announcement are available
at:https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/41b22c43-4fa0-4b43-9a5d-0d8f23c298c2https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2989dfe3-eca1-4af9-8b37-8161c9327a75