SIX DECADES OF ASSIST

It’s been 60 years since hydraulic power steering was invented, but it was only in 1951 that it became available on production models for the first time as Hydraguide, fitted to Chrysler’s Imperial and New Yorker. An electric system made its debut in series production during 1986 with TRW’S Powertronic.

In essence, turning the steering wheel causes a power-assist system to apply a proportional force to the steering gear. Originally, this was achieved by means of an engine-driven pump circulating hydraulic fluid.