The decisive role the quality of tyre approximation plays in vehicle dynamics simulations.

This paper describes an analytical and numerical approach to tyre models for vehicle dynamics simulations. The analytical model is a polynomial approach for the use in very fast real time applications. The numerical approach is the IPG (Ingenieurgemeinschaft Prof. Dr.-Ing. R. Gnadler)-tyre, a high grade spline model including some analytical extensions. Both models were applied to: (1) the double lane change; and (2) the steady state cornering manoeuvre. From all possible points of view, it appears that a numerical tyre model is to be preferred for vehicle dynamics simulations. It combines: (a) the best possible accuracy; (b) minimized computation effort; and (c) the easiest possibilities for increasing the field of approximated effects.