Spartan Provides Smooth Drive with Intelligent Independent Suspension System for RVs

CHARLOTTE, Mich., Dec. 3, 2002; Spartan Motors, Inc. has made silky smooth motorhome rides one of its primary missions since it entered the industry in 1985. Now, the manufacturer of RV chassis has upped the ante to offer motorhome drivers an unparalleled ride.

The Charlotte, Mich.-based manufacturer of motorhome and fire truck chassis and emergency-rescue vehicles said it will introduce the industry's first production chassis equipped with its Spartan Active Ride independent full suspension system at the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association tradeshow in Louisville, Ky. Dec. 3-5. Spartan Active Ride, which is technology exclusive to Spartan, will be featured on Fleetwood's 2003 American Eagle luxury coach at the RVIA show.

"The Spartan Active Ride system is designed to actively read -- and intelligently respond to -- the conditions of the road," said John Sztykiel, chief executive officer of Spartan Motors. "With Spartan Active Ride, all four wheels and the chassis are constantly responding to the road, keeping the base of the coach on a level plane and providing a smooth ride without tilt or sway in virtually every drivable condition. This technology is going to revolutionize the way we perceive motorhome driving, making it much easier and more manageable for the average driver."

Using a combination of hydraulics, electronic sensors and computer controls, Spartan Active Ride provides a tight, level and smooth ride for motorhomes. Spartan Active Ride gathers input from the four corners of the coach, integrates data on driving conditions, braking, speed, roll acceleration and steering angle, and then adjusts each shock absorber to smooth out the ride. The system's microcomputers analyze this information 400 times every second to deliver the best response to extreme road conditions. Some of the features of Spartan Active Ride include:

A real-time electronic system that "reads" the condition of the road and responds to control the roll, pitch and vehicle stability, making it both a proactive and reactive system. Spartan Active Ride's roll control system eliminates vehicle sway by applying force between the motorhome's chassis and the suspension system to keep it level. This force -- which can be much higher than the conventional suspension allows -- enables the motorhome to corner smoothly and keeps the coach level through turns and lane changes, even on winding roads and windy days. The anti-pitch control maintains the vehicle's flat plane from front to back. In current models, shock absorbers and anti-sway bars do little to keep the motorhome from pitching forward in the case of quick braking. With Spartan Active Ride, the motorhome doesn't nose-dive. Spartan Active Ride is the first significant innovation in motorhome suspension since Spartan introduced Independent Front Suspension (IFS) systems in 1995. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) not using an independent front suspension system are still mired in 75-year-old technology, using an I- beam axle system that can be tuned to only one setting, unlike the Spartan Active Ride's continual suspension adjustments.

"Spartan Active Ride offers a unique opportunity to our motorhome manufacturer customers," said Richard Schalter, president of Spartan Motors Chassis. "It positions them with the latest technology in ride control, which is a key benefit to an end-user. It's hard to sell a motorhome to someone who isn't comfortable driving it. With Spartan Active Ride, the drive is smooth, level and comfortable."

Spartan said it intends to implement Spartan Active Ride in all of its product lines, including its emergency vehicles, over time.

"The emergency-rescue market will see Spartan Active Ride in the second half of 2003 as we unify and leverage the strength of our subsidiaries, Crimson Fire and Road Rescue," said John Sztykiel, chief executive officer of Spartan Motors. "Vehicle control is critical in emergency-rescue, and we are excited about Spartan Active Ride's application in that industry, as well. Innovations like the Spartan Active Ride system and the mid-engine motorhome chassis represent Spartan's continued focus on becoming the most-desired brand in our market niches."