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A de Dion tube is an automobile suspension technology. It was a primitive form of independent suspension and was seen as an improvement over the alternative swing axle type. A de Dion suspension uses universal joints at both the wheel hubs and differential, and uses a solid rod to hold the opposite wheels in parallel. Unlike an anti-roll bar, a de Dion tube is not connected to the chassis and is not intended to flex.
The benefits of a de Dion suspension include:
- Reduced unsprung weight since the differential is connected to the chassis
- No camber changes on suspension unloading (or rebound)
There were costs, however:
- The de Dion tube itself and the extra universal joints add unsprung weight
- A lateral location link (like a Panhard rod) is still needed
- Sympathetic camber changes on opposite wheels are seen on single-wheel suspension compression
de Dion tubes were considered exotic and were rarely used. The original Mazda Cosmo, Alfa Romeo GTV6, and Rover SD1 are examples.
de Dion suspension characteristics: Camber change on bumps, none on rebound |
