Sign up for Design News newsletters
Engineering Solutions by Design News Talks Rivian's Hydraulic DampingEngineering Solutions by Design News Talks Rivian's Hydraulic Damping
The Rivian's R1T's linked hydraulic damper arrangement is key to the electric pickup truck's ability to deliver maximum off-road capability and peerless on-road handling.
1 Min Read
Image courtesy of Rivian
The demands of capable off-road 4x4s are almost exactly the opposite of the requirements for agility and comfort in an on-road vehicle. But that was the combination Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe demanded of the engineering team working on the R1T electric pickup truck.
Chief engineer Charles Sanderson already had experience with the team's ultimate solution during his previous job at McLaren Automotive. The same Tenneco linked hydraulic damping system that gives McLaren supercars their surprisingly cushy ride could also be applied to providing amazing off-road capability in a pickup that delivers astounding ride and handling on the highway.
This was the challenge Sanderson and his team took on as they contemplated solutions to the problem. Our seat time in the R1T confirms the team's success.
About the Author
Dan’s coverage of the auto industry over three decades has taken him to the racetracks, automotive engineering centers, vehicle simulators, wind tunnels, and crash-test labs of the world.
A member of the North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year jury, Dan also contributes car reviews to Popular Science magazine, serves on the International Engine of the Year jury, and has judged the collegiate Formula SAE competition.
Dan is a winner of the International Motor Press Association's Ken Purdy Award for automotive writing, as well as the National Motorsports Press Association's award for magazine writing and the Washington Automotive Press Association's Golden Quill award.
Dan, testing the 2025 Aston Martin Vanquish. ANDY MORGAN/ASTON MARTIN
He has held a Sports Car Club of America racing license since 1991, is an SCCA National race winner, two-time SCCA Runoffs competitor in Formula F, and an Old Dominion Region Driver of the Year award winner. Co-drove a Ford Focus 1.0-liter EcoBoost to 16 Federation Internationale de l’Automobile-accredited world speed records over distances from just under 1km to over 4,104km at the CERAM test circuit in Mortefontaine, France.
He was also a longtime contributor to the Society of Automotive Engineers' Automotive Engineering International magazine.
He specializes in analyzing technical developments, particularly in the areas of motorsports, efficiency, and safety.
He has been published in The New York Times, NBC News, Motor Trend, Popular Mechanics, The Washington Post, Hagerty, AutoTrader.com, Maxim, RaceCar Engineering, AutoWeek, Virginia Living, and others.
Dan has authored books on the Honda S2000 and Dodge Viper sports cars and contributed automotive content to the consumer finance book, Fight For Your Money.
He is a member and past president of the Washington Automotive Press Association and is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers.
You May Also Like
Editors' Choice
Jan 28 - Jan 30, 2025
Jan 28 - Jan 30, 2025
The must-attend event for chip, board, and systems design engineers. DesignCon is the premier high-speed communications and system design conference and exposition, offering industry-critical engineering education in the heart of electronics innovation — Silicon Valley.
Register Now