Tilt! (WIP).

Despite appearances, this concept vehicle, the Mercedes F 400 Carving, doesn't have a broken suspension system. Its wheels are not radically misaligned. Rather, the chassis technology is actually meant to do that. In fact, the camber angle is under computer control. This so-called "active camber control" causes the outer wheels of the vehicle to tilt inward as much as 20[degrees] when the car is cornering, thereby providing up to 30% more lateral stability during the maneuver.

From the mechanical point of view, this is made possible by two primary elements:

1. Tilting hub carriers. The hub carrier has both a tilting and rigid section. The rigid inside section is attached to the wheel-locating components of a double-wishbone suspension system. The tilting outside section is mated to the wheel bearings and the brake caliper linkages. A hydraulic system is used to apply controlled pressure through piston rods to the tilting portion of the hub carrier in order to provide the required amount of camber.

2. Asymmetrical tiers. Developed by DaimlerChrysler and Pirelli engineers, the tires are 19 in. on the outside and 17 in. on the inside. When the wheels are tilted, the vehicle rides on the inside of the tiers. When traveling in a straight line, the 19-in. portion does the job.

Although the action of the two-seat car is motorcycle-like, the F 400 also has something in common with skiing beyond the use of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (used for skis; used for its body): the term "carving" is borrowed from alpine skiing; the action of the wheels is analogous to carving skis.