Torsion beam suspension
Most modern mini cars up to
large saloons (i.e., VW Golf) employ torsion beam as the rear suspension.
Compared with double wishbones, multi-link and trailing arm suspensions, it engages little width of the car, thus enables a greater rear seating room. It is cheaper too.
Compared with a MacPherson strut, its shock absorber is shorter and can be inclined steeply away from the vertical, and engage less boot space.
In fact, torsion beam suspension is only partially-independent - there is a torsion beam connecting both wheels together, which allows limited degree of freedom when forced. For some less demanding compact cars, this saves on anti-roll bars.
It does not provide the same level of ride and handling as double wishbones or multi-link suspensions,
It is close though to its direct competitor, the MacPherson strut.
Most of the Europe's best handling GTi's employed this suspension.
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