Abstract
Vibration generated during powertrain clutch engagement/gear shift is a major factor influencing ride quality perception. The abrupt heave and pitch motion induced in chassis is especially discomforting. Although this undesirable motion could be minimized through an optimal suspension/powertrain design, in reality the optimization is often unobtained due to its cross-functional nature in a design effort. In this paper, we develop a suspension model that can describe the ride characteristics/attribute of a passenger vehicle during powertrain events such as clutch engagement and gear shift. This model is then integrated with a powertrain model. The paper demonstrates the significance of suspension design in the perceived powertrain related ride characteristics and identifies the vibration transferring mechanism.