Mahindra's Engineering Head Explains Davinci Suspension System : Video

Mahindra recently launched its much anticipated SUV- the Mahindra XUV 7XO, a rebadged version of the XUV 700. The SUV brought in several first in segment features including, coast-to-coast triple 10.25-inch HD screen, first-ever integration of Alexa and ChatGPT and more. However, the most promising addition is the Mahindra's Davinci Suspension System. 

The video opens with Velusamy, Mahindra's engineering boss, setting the stage and explains that every suspension engineer is constantly chasing the elusive balance between ride, comfort, and handling. Achieving the perfect sweet spot among these three is the ultimate goal, yet in practice, compromises are often unavoidable.

Velusamy points out that engineers frequently find themselves forced to prioritize one aspect over the others, leading to trade-offs that affect the overall driving experience. This is where Mahindra's innovation comes in. The newly developed Davinci dampers, he emphasizes, are designed precisely to address this challenge.

Later in the video, Velusamy dives into the details of Mahindra's Davinci suspension system, breaking down how the XUV's setup works. At its core, the suspension relies on three key components: the ride bush, which influences comfort; the handling bush, which shapes cornering ability; and the strut assembly, which ties everything together to balance dynamics and control. These parts are connected through the lower control arm and knuckle, forming a tightly integrated system. Mahindra's engineers reportedly tested and refined this setup over 900 iterations before finalizing the Davinci dampers.

The damper and spring assembly play a crucial role in managing vehicle movements - rolling, pitching, yawing, and bouncing. The comfort bush softens the impact you feel when hitting bumps, while the handling bush determines how confidently the car can take turns.

On rough roads, Velusamy explains, the car's body typically moves up and down by 10-20mm. Dampers are designed to keep this motion in check. Inside the damper piston, oil is forced through tiny valves, converting suspension movement into controlled energy absorption.

When the body movement stays within 10-20mm, the damper applies very low force, resulting in a smooth, plush ride. But when the car encounters a pothole or a deeper dip that pushes movement beyond 20mm, the damper must react quickly. This is where the Davinci damper's special valve and shim design comes into play. It ramps up force rapidly to stabilize the vehicle, then levels off to avoid harshness.

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The result is a suspension system that separates ride comfort from ride control - delivering stability when needed, yet maintaining softness over uneven terrain. Velusamy highlights this as the breakthrough that makes the Davinci dampers stand out, ensuring Mahindra's vehicles feel both secure and comfortable, even on India's toughest roads.