Abstract: A motor car includes a body, an electrical supply, an electric drive unit, a steering system, a parking brake and a control unit inside the body for causing the drive unit to be activated by the electrical supply. The motor car also includes a control unit outside the body for operating the drive unit, the control unit constituting an external control for enabling parking manoeuvres in restricted spaces.

Abstract: A servo-assisted device for operating a parking brake of a moto vehicle is described, consisting of a control lever for a brake cable or rod, mounted rotatably on a pivot, a ratchet mechanism adapted to permit rotation of the lever in a predetermined direction and a push button for disengaging the ratchet mechanism; the principal characteristic of the invention consists in the fact that the brake cable or rod is connected to the control lever through an actuator pivoted beneath the control lever and to a movable element of which the said brake cable is fixed.

Abstract: A rear suspension (1) for motor vehicles comprises a suspension support frame (2) fixed to the body of the motor vehicle and carrying the members (3) for supporting and guiding the rear wheels (4) of the motor vehicle.A suspension support frame (2) is connected to the body of the vehicle for rotation about a vertical axis (A), contained substantially in the longitudinal median plane of the motor vehicle, by a plurality of attachment members (5). Each attachment member (5) comprises a first element fixed to the body and a second element fixed to the suspension support frame (2). The second element is mounted for sliding on the first element in a direction which is tangential to a circumference whose center lies on the vertical axis (A).

Abstract: A suspension device for motor vehicles comprises a telescopic shock-absorber and an air spring which is arranged coaxially with the shock-absorber around the region of the seal between the cylinder and the rod of the shock-absorber. The air spring defines a pneumatic chamber of annular cross-section.

Abstract: An articulated quadrilateral suspension for the front steered wheels of a motor vehicle includes a vertical articulation arm rigidly connected to the fork-shaped wheel support by two separate elements which are spaced apart in a substantially longitudinally direction. The ends of the articulation arm are articulated to respective pivoting arms which are in turn articulated to the body of the vehicle. A shock-absorber with a coaxial helical spring is arranged substantially vertically adjacent the articulation arm, with its upper end connected to the body and its lower end articulated to the lower pivoting arm.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle having a fuel tank fitted under the body, at least one movable member is provided for supporting the tank, which can be moved between a first position, in which it supports the tank, and a second position, in which it is disengaged from the tank, causing it to move downwardly. Also provided are a sensor for detecting an impact against the rear part of the motor vehicle and an actuator for moving the movable support member to its second position, causing lowering of the tank, when the sensor detect an impact which is greater than a predetermined magnitude. In this way, the risk of collapse of the tank structure, with a resulting escape of fuel, is avoided in the event of violent impacts.

Abstract: A rear suspension for motor vehicles comprising two longitudinal arms carrying the rear wheels of the motor vehicle at their rear ends, compression springs and a subframe. The front ends of the longitudinal arms are articulated to the subframe which is fixed to the body of the vehicle. The compression springs are interposed between each arm and the subframe so that the whole suspension can be assembled on the sub-frame before the latter is mounted on to the body. The subframe includes two sheet-metal box-section lateral supports provided with attachments for connecting the subframe to the body and for the articulation of the longitudinal arms. A sheet-metal cross member is rigidly connected at its ends to the two lateral supports. Each compression spring is interposed between and connected to a respective lateral support of the sub-frame.