Bosch Engineering is championing its involvement in the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive program. Bosch used the program to debut its new, patented, integrated vehicle dynamics control module in the flagship all-electric sportscar, which networks with existing systems within the car to offer drivers increased levels of control.
Taking control of the SLS AMG Electric Drive’s brakes, rear-wheel steering, active front steering, active stabilizers, and differentials, the control function assigns each component a particular handling characteristic. This control extends to wheel-specific motors in electric and hybrid vehicles, such as the Electric Drive.
The module is programmed with three factory defined settings; Safe, Sport, and Drift, which offer varying degrees of control over the cars performance. As the names would suggest, safe has a focus on offering comfort and safety, whilst sport and drift are designed to exploit the cars performance to the fullest. A forth, user-defined, option is also available.
Despite the level of computerized control over the cars mechanical components, Bosch claims that drivers of cars equipped with the system are unable to feel any form of artificial control over their driving experience.
