Why GM’s Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 System Is Better Than The Outgoing MRC 3.0
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Some of the latest Cadillac products, such as the CT4-V, CT5-V and Escalade, come with the automaker’s fourth-generation Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) dampers. We already know General Motors‘ MRC dampers improve steering responsiveness and help isolate the vehicle from bumps and imperfections in the road, but how exactly does MRC 4.0 differ from the outgoing, third-generation version of the system?
Before we can answer that, let’s take a closer look at the basic technology behind the MRC dampers. As GM explains, MRC is an active damping system “that uses electromagnets paired with magnetorheological fluid within the shock absorbers to continually vary their damping rate.” Accelerometers in the suspension help to read the road, which triggers the computer to make changes to the magnetic charge within the fluid, instantly altering the damping rates of the shocks based on the conditions. The shocks improve the ride quality and the handling, as well, as the damping rates can affect tire contact patch when making sharp or high-speed turns.
Nearly every aspect of MRC 3.0 was reevaluated for the development MRC 4.0, the automaker says, including the accelerometer sensors, controller hardware, vehicle tuning and the dampers themselves. Some of the most notable changes include:
- New wheel hub accelerometers that provide additional fluid and natural-feeling damping changes. These sensors are four times more responsive than the ones used in MRC 3.0.
- The addition of an inertial measurement unit, which “provides more precise measurements of body motion, relative to the wheel, for more accurate readings under heavy braking, hard cornering and other driving conditions,” Cadillac says.
- New secondary temperature maps, which enable engineers to compensate for changes in damper fluid temperature, contributing to more consistent damper performance – particularly during performance driving when the damper fluid may be under more stress and strain.
- Addition of a magnetic flux control unit, which “creates a more consistent and more accurate transition between rebound and compression in the dampers, improving the system’s ability to sense and control vehicle body movement.”
- Less damper friction, which has enabled engineers to tune for “more pronounced differences between drive modes.”
- Various upgrades to hardware and software that allow the vehicle to remain more level as it transitions between corners.
- New magnetorheological fluid formula reduces friction within the damper to contribute to smoother overall suspension damping.
“With MagneRide 4.0, the world’s fastest reacting suspension system is now even faster,” said Cadillac performance engineer Thomas Schinderle. “When paired with our sedans’ award-winning rear-wheel-drive architecture, the result is two of the most responsive sport sedans on the market, with reflexes that elevate the already high threshold of the V-Series legacy.”
The 2021 Cadillac CT4-V and 2021 Cadillac CT5-V both come standard with the latest, fourth-generation Magnetic Ride Control system. The 2021 Cadillac Escalade Sport and Platinum models come standard with MRC 4.0, as well. It’s likely the next-generation system will continue to trickle throughout the GM range, but Cadillac vehicles are first to receive due to their higher price points and luxury status.
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Magnaride is hands down, one of the best things gm has ever done. Its also extremely expensive to fix and replace.
Agree on both points. I have it on my ATS. Really a great system. As far as repair costs-time to get a new car when the warranty expires. Or do as I do-get an extended warranty and keep the car longer. Be sure to get a GM warranty.
Yes, expensive. Luckily my wife’s MRC on her ATS failed under warranty. They said $1500 (didn’t see) for one corner, but warranty covered all.
@Smokefoot55: Great advice. All my years in auto sales, and I’ve seen it all. But through it all, I’ve always said that IF you want a warranty, always get it from the manufacturer! Do NOT get the after-market ones. Pay a little more now, save a lot later.
MRC is great, no questions about that. As Cadillac Matt said above, it’s also quite expensive to replace/fix. Seems logical considering the type of system compared to plain old shocks/struts. But why is MRC needed? They are trying to get the best handling with the best possible ride quality. Yet one of the lowest priced and easiest to do things for ride quality is tires with an actual sidewall. This fad of run-flat and super low profile tires is getting to be too much. Not all of us want to “feel” the road or “carve” the corners. In fact, I’m guessing the vast majority of people buying these vehicles want a more isolated experience with less road feel along with nice looking rims/tires. The first thing they need to do is start putting real tires with actual sidewalls back on them. Any tire of 55 or less belongs on true sports cars or the Cadillac V-series models. The lowest sidewall tire offered on all the rest of the cars should be a 60 series or higher. It seems the manufacturers are realizing this now as a recent Ford article on the 2021 Ford F150’s actually talked about going to a larger sidewall for a better ride quality. This is on a TRUCK! I’m actually looking into replacing the tires (185/55/15) on my brand new Spark with 185/60/15 just to improve the descent ride it has to a better ride.
So back to MRC: Can you imagine what the (non-sport) Cadillac’s would ride like if they gave us a 60 or 65 series tire with the MRC 4.0? This magnificent suspension system with the proper tires would be the perfect match. And for the more base Cadillac’s without the MRC, we would still get the simple but effective benefit of the higher profile tires!
A person’s age shows when they say the ride is “too stiff.” It’s the arthritis acting up. I’ll be there soon enough. As to the Chevy Spark for me, my mechanic talked me out of it. He’s better than a psychiatrist. But enjoy yours. My wife enjoyed her Pontiac G3 and Chevy Sonic RS.
Mick1: I’m 53 now, but for many years it’s been about the road isolation and not the road feel. I’ve never understood why anyone would want to feel the road. Now, I’m not talking that I want a barge that goes down the road like it’s on waves. No, I like a car that can handle well but with the emphasis on ride quality. That’s why I love MRC (haven’t had a car with it, but sold a lot of them). With MRC, you can get the best of both worlds. However, because they have it, they then put low profile tires on the car which causes it to lose some of the better ride quality of MRC.
Your analogies are “spot-on”! Last month I test drove a CTS4 and was turned off by its not so quiet ride and lack of color selections.
I was going to by one as current model is 10 years old but I was very disappointed in the ride and quietness.
Thank you for how you laid all of this out.
“…So back to MRC: Can you imagine what the (non-sport) Cadillac’s would ride like if they gave us a 60 or 65 series tire with the MRC 4.0? This magnificent suspension system with the proper tires would be the perfect match. ”
I would say that the Escalade would be the closest match.
@ma7mgte: Not being a huge fan of the Slade, I quite honestly can’t tell you what the tire sizes that they put on. Although I do like SUV’s, when it comes to Cadillac I prefer a sedan (CT6?? is my favorite as of late). So I guess my comment should have been more like “Can you imagine what the (non-sport) Cadillac’s like the CT4 and CT5 would ride like…”
Now if only they could debut styling that doesn’t look like @$$
@Italian: And your opinion of what they should look like? Which foreign brand do you feel they should be like?
Like Lyriq as an example.
But all we got is fwd based XT whatever with dated interiors.
Ct5’s interior is a mess and dated also.
Only Escalade has a world class dash(screen) but again they destroyed it with cheap details.
Even Genesis cars are more showy.
Yep you nailed it Italian !
And Dan, I agree with you on the tires. Just removing the run flats on our ATS made a huge difference !
I like the CT5 looks, other than the CHEAP plastic C pillar crap. The C pillar is fine with me just add the window and quit being so CHEAP !
The interiors on the Cadillacs, other than the Escalade, are just warmed over Chevrolets !
The Lyriq looks OK from what GM has showed us, and that is not much, but with sliding sales, will GM just cut the Lyriq interior quality like GM does ?
And the XT’s are just a plain joke for luxury, Ha, Ha, Ha ! FWD based Blah GM crap ! For a Cadillac !
Italian. The first thing you bring up is the Lyriq. We all have opinions, and mine is that car is terrible looking. Ok, agree to disagree. Then you say all we get is fwd based xt whatever. At this time, the XT is the only fwd based vehicles and the rest are rear drive and garner a lot of great press. Not sure I can agree with you on the CT5 interior. May not be the best, but certainly not bad. But overall, based on your answer of the Lyriq and the “world class dash(screen)” tells me that you are more about tech and having the biggest screen. On the flip side, I feel the (now discontinued) CT6 is/was the best looking Cadillac in the past 10+ years. That’s class. Lyriq certainly doesn’t do that same thing.
Dan Berning,
I agree with you 100% on the CT6, man it is a beautiful vehicle, and if released with the 3.0TT and the Blackwing, I feel it would have been a hit !
Any way, GM tried to make the Cadillac line look like the Escala, it was easier on the sedans yet even there GM cheapened them out of the Escala look and style.
For those who like the Lyriq, this same thing could happen yet, the viewed Lyriq was a concept of, GM says, 80% production.
But it is that 20% where GM cheapens themselves out of success, on all but the Escalade.
I do like the interior and dash in the Escalade and the Lyriq, and it IS the tech I like !
Yet that is and has always been Cadillac, sure the big floaty ride drive was loved by many, yet the electric windows, power steering, and on and on and on , Tech of the time, that sold Cadillac !
“Even Genesis cars are more showy.”
Not everyone wants showy. In the previous century, German interiors were decidedly unshowy.
I want an interior without vast amounts of black.
Ralph L: Amen to that! I miss days of 4, 5 or 6 interior choices. That’s where I do give Volvo a lot of credit. The other thing I can’t figure out is why so many people thought wood grain (real or quality faux) was so bad in cars going back a while. I’d rather have that than all black or gray plastic.
The secret to german sedan’s handling and compliance is the dampers. Bargain danpers are around $200 for my car. Bilstein dampers are $600. Öhlins are $3500 per set. JCI or Penske are close to $10,000 per set. GM has a proprietary system that does everything well for around $3,000 per set. If you want the best you have to pay.
Chris: That’s a great point and good info. Makes me think back to 1992 when Buick just introduced the all new Buick Skylark (controversial styling, but a great car). The GS trim was my favorite and came in two-tone lower accent color and it had a very low cost but efficient adjustable shock/damper system. Can’t recall the name, but it played off of Buick’s very good dynaride deflected disc valving system. In the Skylark GS, there was a switch for normal, comfort or sport and you really could tell the difference between them. I recall having a guy come in who had a 1987 BMW 3 series and he was tired of the cost to own/maintain it. However, he thought he had to have the BMW for handling. After I took him on a test drive and had him experience the sport mode, he was sold and purchased the car. A couple years later I called him and he still loved his GS.
If the GEN4 MRC is noticeably improved over the GEN3 MRC system then it is awesome. The GEN3 setup on my 1SS 1LE is nothing short of excellent.
May I write more about this? You’ve penned a worthy post though, so bless you!
I agree with you