Is it like high speed cornering chrome? simulated wood grain windshield? I hear the phrase in a few car commercials these days. How is the suspension tuning "European?"
Is it like high speed cornering chrome? simulated wood grain windshield? I hear the phrase in a few car commercials these days. How is the suspension tuning "European?"
In 1982, Pontiac used the term "European Performance" to advertise their new 4 cyl version of the Pontiac Firebird with the Iron Duke.
In case you guys didn't know, they ACTUALLY offered a 2.5 liter Iron Duke in the Pontiac Firebird from 1982 to 1983 I believe. I can only imagine how slow it must have been, but the 1982 year catalog refers to it as "European Performance"... which is histerical... becuase they're serious about it.
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: In 1982, Pontiac used the term "European Performance" to advertise their new 4 cyl version of the Pontiac Firebird with the Iron Duke.
In case you guys didn't know, they ACTUALLY offered a 2.5 liter Iron Duke in the Pontiac Firebird from 1982 to 1983 I believe. I can only imagine how slow it must have been, but the 1982 year catalog refers to it as "European Performance"... which is histerical... becuase they're serious about it.
but a euro-tuned car would ride a little stiffer and be biased more to handling then a soft ride about the same as sport or performance set up or maybe they just stuck a sticker on it
------------------ Question wonder and be wierd are you kind?
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10:10 AM
Pyrthian Member
Posts: 29569 From: Detroit, MI Registered: Jul 2002
Realistically, it's hard to pinpoint exactly what it is, becuase what it is has changed every decade or so, but they still use the same term.
I have a 73 VW Bus, I guess that's definitely "European" when compared to what America offered in 1973.
My wife's old 2002 VW Jetta 1.8T (180hp version) and then the 2004 VW Beetle that she just recently got rid of, they both had a very decent suspension... about the only good things with those newer VWs. The ride was VERY firm, and stiff, but not jarring. Going over a pot-hole felt much more cushioned than it did in my 97 Grand Am, but at the same time, still felt more rigid.
I think what it comes down to, really... is stiffer springs, and lighter shocks... where as American cars seem to use stiffer shocks, and lighter springs for some damn reason.
My Volvo C30's ride can be described almost exactly as 82-T/A describes the rides in his wife's VW's. The ride is firm, and very sporty, with decent communication, little body roll, etc. When you hit a bump, you know you hit it. However, no matter how mad the bump, the car never feels jarred, and the noise and vibration do not reverberate through the chassis making the car feel solid.
When advertiser's trumpet a Euro Tuned suspension, I think they just want you to conjure images of BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, etc, and think of a premium, superior suspension tuning compared to normal tuning.
In reality, there is probably not much special about it.
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12:15 PM
Doug85GT Member
Posts: 9902 From: Sacramento CA USA Registered: May 2003
It is as other have said, just another advertising jingo. It is trying to take advantage of the historical German engineered cars that were designed for the Autobahn. German cars have been designed for high speed driving and safety since the the Nazis first started building the Autobahn in 1931. VW was created to make more cars so more Germans could drive on the Autobahn. It is kind of funny that they build the highway before they had many cars that could drive on it.
This is why German cars with a few notible exceptions, have been built like tanks, and drive very smoothly at high speeds. A comparable American car in the 50-80s would feel less stable or downright dangerous over 70-90 mph. The ad lingo, "European Tuned Suspension" means the car should drive smooth at high speed and corner well.
but a euro-tuned car would ride a little stiffer and be biased more to handling then a soft ride about the same as sport or performance set up or maybe they just stuck a sticker on it
rayb has nailed it. Others, too.
It is really a general comparison to "American tuned" suspensions.
Americans (at least as defined by GM, for example) wanted a cushy, floaty ride and cared less about body roll, handling, etc.
So BY CONTRAST, Europeans preferred the suspension to be tuned to sacrifice some of the cushy, floaty ride and didn't mind a balance more toward firm (or even jarring in some cases) in order to have less body roll and better handling.
So it is a VERY GENERALIZED, comparative term. Hence no one has an exact definition. But that is the broad concept.
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12:40 PM
D B Cooper Member
Posts: 3141 From: East Detroit, MI Registered: Jul 2005
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: In 1982, Pontiac used the term "European Performance" to advertise their new 4 cyl version of the Pontiac Firebird with the Iron Duke.
In case you guys didn't know, they ACTUALLY offered a 2.5 liter Iron Duke in the Pontiac Firebird from 1982 to 1983 I believe. I can only imagine how slow it must have been, but the 1982 year catalog refers to it as "European Performance"... which is histerical... becuase they're serious about it.
Dated a girl who had one of them back in '87 . Her parents figured she could have a cool car that could not go fast enough to get in trouble. They were right, that thing was a turd. Probably one of the slowest cars I have ever driven.
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09:20 PM
Oct 10th, 2009
rogergarrison Member
Posts: 49601 From: A Western Caribbean Island/ Columbus, Ohio Registered: Apr 99
Id say its because most european road (excepting Autobahn) are narrow, hilly and twisty to say the least. Not having been there Ill even guess they are far substandard for what US roads are. They would need a car with better handling just to stay on them. ie/ cushy american cadillac would have a hard time negotiating brick and stone roads only 5' wide. From what I just see on tv, you have to be able to change lanes or turn in an instant. Prob for the most part worse than New York alleys. No offense to euros here.
Alot of newer "performance" oriented american vehicles are "tuned" suspension wise on the Nurburgring which would be my guess as to where alot of it started.
