Abstract
In the conceptualization phase of vehicle development, for achieving reasonable dynamics performance, it is necessary that the architecture optimization includes reduction of vehicle center-of-gravity(CG) height and achievement of intended weight distribution as one of the optimization criteria. However, there is no ready reckoner available to define the enablers that would aid the process. This paper aims to address this deficiency with the help of a new approach for optimizing the vehicle architecture. The new approach for optimizing the vehicle architecture is “Top-Down”, starting from vehicle dynamics performance targets, cascading to vehicle CG height and weight distribution requirements and defining architecture hard points to meet the requirements. Vehicle CG targets are confirmed based on trend analysis of global benchmarks. Parametric models have been developed based on regression analyses of benchmarks CG-positions with their architecture parameters. With the help of these models, it is possible to identify enablers for vehicle CG height reduction and achieving intended weight distribution in concept vehicle architecture. This approach helps in effective frontloading of vehicle dynamics performance requirements in the vehicle architecture in the concept phase of vehicle development