In a front wheel drive vehicle a traditional twist beam axle suffers from a short service life due to premature failures in intermediate areas between the end sections and the transitional section. A twist beam suspension is provided comprising a transverse strut (16) interconnecting longitudinal control arms (12). The transverse strut (16) may be formed from a tubular pipe. The tubular member may define a pair of tubular end sections (18), a deformed, U-shaped transitional section (20), and a pair of intermediate sections (22) between the end sections (18) and the transitional section (20). The intermediate section (22) may define a contour (28), known as a tongue. The tongue (28) enhances the flexibility in torsion and improves the stiffness in bending of the transverse strut (16). The tongue (28) may also include a concavity, to further aid in improving stiffness.