What is kinematic and compliance (K&C) analysis and why is it important?

K&C analysis characterizes suspension behavior by measuring wheel position changes in response to vertical wheel travel (kinematics) and applied forces (compliance). Key measurements include camber, toe, and steer angle changes versus wheel travel, and compliance steer, camber, and deflection under lateral, longitudinal, and aligning forces. K&C data validates suspension design, correlates simulation models, and enables benchmarking against competitors to identify areas for improvement.