Porsche Unveils the FaSiP Road Simulator to Perfect Driving Comfort and Dynamics

Porsche introduces the FaSiP road simulation test bench at Weissach. This advanced system accurately replicates real road conditions, helping engineers optimize NVH, comfort, and driving behavior early in development. A key step in Porsche’s hybrid testin

Porsche’s new FaSiP road simulation bench at Weissach marks a leap forward in vehicle testing. Engineers can now reproduce real driving conditions—longitudinal and vertical excitations alike—long before a complete prototype exists. More than a test stand, FaSiP acts as a magnifying glass for vehicle behavior, allowing early design corrections and precise tuning of comfort characteristics.

The concept rests on accuracy and early feedback. Traditionally, NVH evaluations began only after full prototypes were built, when design changes were costly. Now Porsche’s engineers can analyze individual components or entire axles, virtually “driving” recorded routes in the lab. Each wheel rolls on its own thin steel belt powered by a highly dynamic electric motor, while hydraulic actuators below deliver vertical impulses. Together they replicate the mix of road conditions—from manhole covers to surface transitions—with remarkable realism.

The technology proves crucial for refining NVH performance—the balance of noise, vibration and harshness that shapes every driving impression. Porsche experts note that sports models require strong feedback from the road, while comfort-oriented cars demand greater isolation. On the FaSiP, sources of noise or vibration can be identified quickly—whether a rear lid resonance or wheel imbalance—and addressed before real-world tests begin.

FaSiP fits into Porsche’s wider shift toward integrating virtual and physical validation. At Weissach, the company is building a Virtual Validation Center that combines multiple simulators dedicated to comfort, dynamics and ergonomics. This setup enables testing much earlier in the development timeline and reduces overall cycle times.

As mechatronic complexity rises, such tools become indispensable. FaSiP helps reconcile the need for detailed system validation with ever-shorter development schedules. Combined with Porsche Engineering’s AI-driven methods for objectively assessing ride comfort using accelerometer data, it supports a more systematic and efficient development process.

In the coming years, FaSiP will serve as a cornerstone of hybrid validation—where simulation and hardware testing complement each other. The result is a faster, more precise understanding of driving dynamics and comfort across Porsche’s future models.