I agree, this is probably nothing like KDSS. My Lexus has the predecessor to KDSS (they added it to the GX 100 series, but not the LX, and then put it in the 200 series Land Cruiser chassis, if I remember correctly). Hopefully the Rivian system behaves nothing like this - these previous generation systems were intended to be largely inactive on the road, but enable more articulation off road, for a vehicle with independent suspension. The description makes me think it is more continuously active in all conditions. The description also shows up on one of the popups under rivian.com/r1t, and none of the pictures show anything that looks like an anti-sway bar, but I wouldn't consider that conclusive.
I’m assuming this is probably in reference to the Tenneco Kinetic setup? I always think back to the beginning when there were mentions of having a similar setup to McLaren. Haven’t heard much since then though.
Yes, one of the very early Motor Trend articles stated they were using a Tenneco setup. Who knows if that is still the supplier but same operating principle.
Here’s full compression and full droop, I grabbed screenshots when I first saw the video. Looks decent for independent suspension on a street vehicle, however it’s about half the articulation you get with a solid axle vehicle like the jeep, power wagon, etc. should be “good enough” for most people’s use, probably almost what you’d get from a stock Tacoma or 4Runner.
Completely different product but perhaps from the same group of Kinetic engineers. KDSS basically provides an improvement on the standard anti-roll bar by allowing them to have a variable spring rate. They were still paired with standard shocks. The newer Kinetic H2/X2/CVSA2 products are a complete re-engineering of the suspension entirely eliminating the anti-roll bars and standard shocks and replacing them with hydraulically cross-linked dampers resulting in a vastly superior solution.
