As part connected car technology programme Jaguar Land Rover has developed a new systems know as MagnaRide, designed to fight back against the pothole which has become the scourge of many motorists.

Potholes cost driver thousands in repair and replacement of suspension components, wheels and tyres each year, something which JLR believes could often be largely avoided with better information.

Using a vehicle-to-vehicle infrastructure, MagnaRide means oncoming cars could automatically warn other vehicles about poor road surfaces ahead, including potholes, broken drains and manhole covers. Cars with this information can then act, warning the driver, or even slowing the vehicle and adjusting the car’s suspension settings to reduce the impact. 

Currently, Jaguar Land Rover is testing MagnaRide on a Range Rover Evoque and Discovery Sport. Sensors read the road ahead to identify certain features, allowing the car to prepare the suspension. Dr Mike Bell, Global Connected Car Director at JLR, comments, “While this gives our customers a more comfortable ride, we think there is a huge opportunity to turn the information from these vehicle sensors into ‘big data’ and share it for the benefit of other road users.”

Similar technology has already been put to use by Mercedes-Benz on its premium S-Cass which has a system know as Road Surface Scan.