KW develops an innovative damper technology as a benchmark for the aftermarket industry

KW develops an innovative damper technology as a benchmark for the aftermarket industry

With the introduction of the KW Variant 5 Coilover suspension kit, KW automotive, the suspension manufacturer once again lives up to its market leadership in individual suspension innovations. Compared to conventional coilover suspension kits, shocks, and sports suspension kits in the OEM industry and the aftermarket, KW relies on its motorsports suspension technology, with a modular solid piston damping system. By connecting the valves in series, KW achieves a cavitation-free function at a low gas pressure and a precise high-frequency function due to the low damper valve lift. The entire system ensures low hysteresis and direct response in damping which has never been achieved in the aftermarket industry. The V5 shocks react immediately, even with small spring travel, fast steering movements, and minimal bumps. The KW V5 can also be independently adjusted with 14 exact clicks in the low and high-speed damping forces of the compression and rebound stages. They also can be used to continuously lower the vehicle. Besides, the solid piston technology used by KW in the Variant 5, with separated valves from the working tube, offers further value, such as an installation position for different axle geometries, or fully active suspension systems can be implemented.

For the new KW Variant 5 Coilover suspension kit, the German suspension manufacturer adapted its solid piston shock technology now for road applications in the super sports cars and sports cars segment. “In exclusive vehicles of our industry customers and also in GT3 motorsport, we rely on this technically very interesting damper technology. For example, the compression and rebound valves connected in series are separated from the working tube,” says KW brand manager Jonas Ehrmann. “This allows us to go completely new ways in damping than with other systems”. For example, the balancing between piston pressure and valve pressure is no longer necessary, so that the dampers respond much more sensitively and without any noticeable time delay. Every driving maneuver and every impulse such as braking, accelerating, steering, load changes, and bumps are damped much more precisely. KW solid piston shocks support the vehicle body more optimally than conventional dampers and thus lower spring rates can also be used. The KW Variant 5 prevents inharmonic handling or even loss of grip due to high spring rates. “Simply put, our new suspension technology no longer excludes increased driving dynamics and, if desired, driving comfort,” continues Jonas Ehrmann. The KW Variant 5 also offers the freedom to further adjust the in series installed valves for the low and high-speed forces of compression and rebound damping with 14 clicks each to precisely suit the desired driving behavior. With the KW Variant 5 Coilover suspension kit, a stepless adjustable maximum lowering can also be selected.

A sports car equipped with the KW Variant 5 drives much more harmoniously and directly, without car enthusiasts having to compromise on driving dynamics or residual driving comfort. The new V5 product range is the next generation of high-performance coilover suspension kits from KW automotive in Germany. Depending on vehicle-specific requirements, the 4-way adjustable Variant 5 is available for axle geometries with MacPherson struts, double-wishbone or multi-link axles and push rod wheel suspensions, developed exclusively for sports cars and super sports cars, are also available. Depending on the axle geometry, KW manufactures the shock housing and suspension struts of the Variant 5 from aluminum or stainless steel in its German manufactory and, depending on the vehicle model, uses aluminum unibal top-mounts, progressive spring or linear spring design. In the future, the versatile KW solid piston technology will also be the basis for fully active suspension systems and will be expanded further.