Multi-link suspension

Since the late 80s, multi-link rear suspension is increasingly used in modern saloons and coupes. The earliest applicants include Nissan 200SX, Infiniti Q45, Mercedes S-class and BMW 3-Series etc.

multi-link suspension is the newest innovation on road cars   

It is essentially like double wishbone suspension but each arm of the wishbone is a separate item. These are joined at the top and bottom of the wheel spindle thus forming the wish bone shape. 

Apparently it is infinitely tunable and the set up claims to give much better road holding. It can be seen on the Audi A4, A6, A8 and the new Jaguar S-type. 

It is difficult to describe its construction because it is not strictly defined. 

In theory, any independent suspensions having 3 control arms or more are multi-link. 

Different designs may have very different geometry and characteristic, 

BMW's multilink looks like a letter "Z", hence its name "Z-axle". 

It takes up relatively large amounts of space,  but offers very good handling; 

Honda Accord's multi-link is essentially a double wishbones suspension added with the fifth control arm. Audi A4's Quadralink front suspension has four links. Again It looks alike double wishbones but it aims to eliminate  torque steer in Audis traditional FWD chassis.

Most sports cars and  racing cars still use double wishbones. Only Porsche 993,996, Nissan Skyline GT-R. have chosen multi-link instead. 

However, multi-link can offer a better compromise between handling and space efficiency, 

Even Honda, who traditionally use double wishbones, have shifted to a multi-link setup in the latest Accord.