The suspension system consists of a torsion bar and hydraulic bumper on each suspension arm. The double pin track was designed by the German company Diehl. The running gear consists of seven dual rubber-lined road wheels, plus four return rollers on each side with connector type tracks. The automatic transmission system, licensed from the German company ZF, has four forward and two reverse gears, and incorporates the steering system and hydraulic retarder. The engine can produce 1,600hp at 1,800rpm. An improved version of the MTCA engine has been developed by Iveco and is expected to be fitted during revision of the existing tanks. The C1 Ariete is powered by a Fiat V-12 MTCA (modular turbo-charged aftercooler) turbo-charged, 12 cylinder, diesel engine developing 937kW (1,273hp). The driver’s station on the right front of the hull is equipped with three periscopes, one of which has passive night vision capability. The commander’s sight, mounted on the roof of the turret, has a 360° traverse and an elevation range from -10° to +60°. The commander’s station on the right of the turret is equipped with the panoramic stabilised sight and a television monitor displaying the thermal image from the gunner’s sight. 'The C1 Ariete main battle tank is capable of a maximum speed in excess of 65km/h.' The computer calculates the fire control algorithms and is used to control the gun, the sighting systems and the laser rangefinder.

The digital fire control computer downloads data from the tank’s meteorological and wind sensors, together with the tank attitude, barrel wear characteristics, ammunition and target data. It includes a day / night stabilised commander’s panoramic periscope sight, gunner’s stabilised sight with thermal imager, a self stabilised optical sight with IR camera and laser rangefinder, and a digital fire control computer. The tank’s fire control system is the TURMS FCS produced by Galileo Avionica (formerly Officine Galileo) of Firenze, Italy. The protection of the tank is also enhanced by using war and peace support ballistic add-on. The crew is protected from nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) warfare by an NBC protection system developed by Sekur SpA in Rome. The hull and turret are of all welded steel construction with enhanced armour protection over the frontal arc.

Modern italian tanks