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Ade Dion axle is a form of non-independentautomobilesuspension. It is a considerable improvement over theswing axle,Hotchkiss drive, orlive axle.[1] Because it plays no part in transmitting power to the drive wheels, it is sometimes called a "dead axle".[2]
A powered de Dion suspension usesuniversal joints on both ends of itsdriveshafts (at the wheel hubs and at thedifferential), and a solid tubular beam to hold the opposite wheels in parallel. Unlike ananti-roll bar, a de Dion tube is not directly connected to thechassis, and is not intended to flex. In suspension geometry it is abeam axle suspension.
The de Dion axle was named after ComteJules-Albert de Dion, founder ofFrenchautomobile manufacturerDe Dion-Bouton. The axle, however, was invented around 1894 by co-founderCharles Trépardoux [fr],Georges Bouton's brother-in-law,[3] for use on the company's steam tricycles.[4]
Advantages:[5]
Disadvantages:
Alfa Romeo is probably the most famous adopter of this technology, using it on theAlfa Romeo Alfetta, GT, GTV, GTV6,Giulietta,Alfa 6,90,75/Milano,SZ/RZ. Other production vehicles using this suspension include theLancia Aurelia (fourth series onwards) andFlaminia, first and second generationPrince Gloria, the originalMazda Cosmo,Volvo 300-series,Rover P6,Chrysler minivans (all wheel drive versions from 1991 to 2004),DAF 46,DAF 66, allIso cars (Iso Rivolta IR 300,Iso Grifo,Iso Fidia,Iso Lele) and earlyBizzarrini 5300 GT Stradas, some of the largest Opels, such as theOpel Diplomat "B" of 1969, allAston Martins from 1967 to 1989,Ferrari 375 and250TR, first generationMaserati Quattroporte,Bugatti Type 251,Mercedes-Benz W125 andW154 as well asAuto Union Type D.
TheSmart Fortwo (andSmart Roadster before) micro-compact cars produced by Daimler AG,Mitsubishi ikei car produced by Mitsubishi Motors and theCaterham 7 (a development of theLotus Seven after Lotus sold the design rights toCaterham Cars), are the only cars recently in production that use this arrangement, as well as the products of somekit car companies. A recent vehicle to use this suspension coupled with leaf springs was theFord Ranger EV. The American-builtMV-1 van by VPG, produced from 2010 to 2016, also used this suspension in the rear with leaf springs.[7] 4WD variants of the Honda Fit and Honda HR-V subcompact SUV have been reported as using a de Dion style suspension;[8] however, these vehicles actually have atwist-beam rear suspension, with the cross beam element located even further forward (and thus even more like a trailing arm and less like the beam axle of a de Dion) than the 2WD variants. The MitsubishiFuso eCanter uses a De Dion rear axle with leaf springs.The 2024Mercedes-Benz EQG (G580 EQ) also uses a De Dion type rear axle, with doubleuniversal joint driveshafts transferring drive propulsion from the electric motors and incorporatingslip joints to equalize the length.[9]TheSlate Truck EV, announced in April 2025, will use a de Dion rear axle.[10]
Most models of theKawasaki MULE line of utility vehicles feature a leaf-sprung de Dion rear suspension with a distinctively curved tube axle that clears the rear subframe to provide 50mm (2 inches) of wheel travel.[11] Benefits include simplicity, durability, compactness and a relatively low liftover height for the cargo bed.
Walter Snow Fighter plow trucks produced by the Walter Truck Company of Long Island, New York throughout the mid 20th century used de Dion axles withportal gear hubs for both the front and the rear suspension, allowing the use of large differentials for durability without increasing unsprung weight or reducing ground clearance. Forged steel axles were used instead of tubes.[12]
TheMowag Duro also uses de Dion axles.
UC San Diego’sFormula SAE team, Triton Racing, has employed the use of de Dion rear suspension in their vehicles since 2015. They are one of the few teams in the competition to do so.[13]
Ferrari also used this type of suspension on its1976 F1 model 312T6, which had the peculiarity of mounting four wheels at the rear, two on each side[14] and therefore only one axle.[15][16]
TheIsuzu D-Max EV, first announced in April 2025 at theCommercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham, England, uses a de Dion axle for the rear suspension.[17]
