In straightforward terms, the essence of your car hinges on a reliable suspension system. This critical setup plays a pivotal role in maintaining control over your vehicle’s movements—both horizontally and vertically. If your car handles turns like a drifting boat on open waves, it’s time for a suspension upgrade. When hitting a pothole feels like an excruciating descent into a chasm, and the changing terrain induces physical and emotional distress, upgrading your suspension becomes imperative. For those aspiring to drive swiftly without constantly battling a lax and unpredictable vehicle, the solution lies in upgrading your suspension.
A subpar suspension setup can be likened to sprinting in flip-flops. Similar to how flip-flops struggle to connect with your feet, causing lag and disrupting your stride, inadequate suspension fails to maintain the necessary stiffness when your car encounters bumps and dips. This mismatch between the body and the wheels/chassis leads to awkward rebounds and that uncomfortable, bouncing boat sensation. Just as you seek running shoes for proper comfort and joint support to prevent wear and injury, the same principle applies to your vehicle’s “joints.” Much like spongy and slippery flip-flops, poor suspension lacks the ability to maximize friction between your car and the road.
Benefits of a Well-Tuned Suspension System:
- Consistent Handling and Braking: A well-tuned suspension system ensures consistent and predictable handling, promoting effective braking and maneuvering.
- Tire-Road Connection: The suspension system keeps the tires firmly connected to the road surface, enhancing traction and control in various driving conditions.
- Control of Spring and Suspension Movement: By regulating the movement of springs and suspension components, the system maintains stability and prevents excessive bouncing or oscillation.
- Management of Vehicle Dynamics: Controls and minimizes undesirable effects such as bounce, roll, sway, drive, and acceleration squat, contributing to a smoother and more controlled driving experience.
- Wheel Alignment Maintenance: Proper suspension alignment preserves wheel alignment, preventing issues like uneven tire wear and ensuring the vehicle travels straight.
- Even and Balanced Tire and Brake Wear: A well-functioning suspension distributes weight evenly, promoting uniform wear on tires and brakes and extending the longevity of these components.
- Prevention of Premature Wear: By reducing stress on tires and brakes, the suspension system helps prevent premature wear and deterioration, contributing to cost-effective vehicle maintenance.
- Reduced Wear on Other Components: Optimal suspension minimizes the strain on various mechanical and structural elements of the vehicle, preserving the longevity and efficiency of these components.
Why KW Suspension?
KW stands as one of the most distinguished and successful suspension brands, excelling both on regular roads and in the competitive world of motorsports. Renowned for offering the broadest range of products in the market, KW’s suspension solutions undergo meticulous refinement through 7-post drive hydraulic race track simulations. This cutting-edge technology mirrors the methods employed in Formula 1 research and development. Additionally, KW conducts extensive driving tests on diverse terrains, including country roads, highways, and the challenging Nürburgring Nordschleife.
The mark of KW’s excellence is evident in their suspension systems, which are standard in prestigious vehicles such as the Mercedes-AMG SLK 55, CLK 63, and SL 65 AMG Black Series, the 2007 Viper SRT10 ACR, and Roush-tuned Ford Mustangs. Boasting a wealth of experience, KW has established itself as a trusted manufacturer and supplier of suspensions for international motorsports teams. Their contributions extend to various racing series, including the ADAC GT Masters touring car series, FIA GT1, FIA GT3, International GT Open, WTCC, VLN, the iconic ADAC Zurich 24h Nürburgring race, as well as participation in IMSA American LeMans Series (now United Sports Car Championship), SCCA Pro Racing, and Pirelli World Challenge in North America.
For over 15 years, KW Suspension has proudly held the position of market leader and innovator in delivering customized suspension solutions for both road and racetrack applications. Drivers, automotive manufacturers, and tuners across the globe trust KW coilovers, renowned for being ‘Made in Germany.’ Each KW coilover kit undergoes rigorous stress testing in the Swabian town of Fichtenberg, where they are developed and manufactured, ensuring they meet the exacting standards of our KW quality management. As a German manufacturer, KW stands behind our products with a 2-year warranty on the extensive range of over 4600 application-specific suspension solutions, all of which surpass OEM quality. When installed by one of KW’s specialist dealers, the warranty extends to an impressive 5 years.
KW Coilovers Boast the Following Features:
- Optimally pre-adjusted
- Sporty and comfortable damping technology
- Stainless steel technology ‘inox-line’
- Individually height adjustable
- TÜV-tested adjustment range
- Ready-to-install complete solution
- High-quality components for long durability
- Complete documentation for easy handling
With KW Suspension, drivers can trust in precision, performance, and lasting quality for their suspension needs. While KW’s suspension range comprises various families, we aim to simplify your selection process by breaking them down below.
Exploring Variant 1: Adjustable Ride Height and Factory-Tuned Damping
Kicking off our lineup is the V1 series, offering ride height adjustment along with factory-tuned damping. Designed for out-of-the-box performance, these units feature the Inox line’s stainless-steel construction and a special thread design, ensuring both a durable service life and ease of adjustment. The V1 series serves as an excellent entry point into our product lineup.
Discovering Variant 2: Enhanced Adjustability for a Dynamic Driving Experience
The V2 retains all the advantages of the V1 model. However, instead of the factory-set rebound damping, V2 offers 16 clicks of adjustment both at the front and rear. This feature allows you to firm up the ride, making it ideal for track use or occasional spirited driving, providing greater flexibility and customization.
Unveiling Variant 3: Ultimate Road-Worthy Suspension with Enhanced Adjustability
V3 models, for the most part, represent the pinnacle of road-worthy suspension, surpassing the capabilities of the V2. They introduce low-speed compression adjustability, providing a comprehensive level of control over the vehicle’s composure both on and off the track. Additionally, as a leveling variation, V3 offers the option of increasing the lowering amount by up to 10mm compared to standard, allowing for a maximum lowering of up to 45mm. This enhancement further contributes to the versatility and adaptability of the suspension system.
Introducing Variant 4: Advanced Technology and Unmatched Adjustability for Ultimate Control
For a select range of vehicles and enthusiasts seeking unparalleled control, the V4 elevates technology and adjustability to new heights. Building upon the features of the V3, the V4 goes a step further by introducing independent control for compression at both high and low speeds, providing an advanced level of precision and customization.
Unveiling Variant 5: Aluminum Body Construction and Advanced Independent Rebound Control
As of the current writing, V5 models are offered for the Huracan, NSX, and Corvette C8, surpassing the capabilities of Variant V4. These models not only feature aluminum body construction but also boast independently controlled high and low-speed rebound, providing an advanced level of precision and customization to enhance overall performance.
Urban Comfort
While Urban Comfort inherits most of the advantages of the V2, this suspension variant is designed for individuals seeking adjustable height and a softer ride, deviating from a more sports-oriented feel.
Clubsport Series
KW’s Clubsport Series is crafted for enthusiasts planning to transition their road cars onto the track, drawing on the brand’s extensive motorsport expertise. The range offers two versions: the 2-way variant with independently adjustable compression and rebound, and the 3-way variant with rebound control along with both high and low-speed compression adjustments. Additionally, these suspensions showcase the Inox line’s stainless-steel construction and specialized thread design, ensuring prolonged service life and straightforward adjustment capabilities.
Competition Series
Tailored for the demanding motorsport environment, KW’s Competition series has earned the trust of numerous top international race teams due to its exceptional performance, affordability, and a proven track record. Crafted from either galvanized steel or lightweight aluminum, this series offers both 2-way variants with independent compression and rebound adjustment and 3-way variants that enable adjustments for both high and low-speed compression along with rebound. Additionally, Competition units are available with optional spherical bearing aluminum top mounts for enhanced customization.
DDC & DDC Plug & Play
KW’s DDC suspension system enables the installation of coilovers, providing control over the vehicle’s ride height. While inheriting the advantages of the V1 kit, DDC retains the factory adaptive suspension control, allowing dynamic on-the-go adjustments for maximum versatility. For vehicles lacking factory adaptive suspension, KW also provides the DDC ECU. When paired with DDC coilovers, this combination empowers drivers to customize the vehicle’s characteristics to perfection, adapting to varying driving conditions.
Height Adjustable Springs
Ideal for those seeking to preserve the factory adaptive or electronic damping while customizing their car’s lowered stance beyond the options provided by standard lowering spring sets, KW presents the Height Adjustable Springs (HAS). These specially designed springs can be fitted onto the standard damper, enabling drivers to achieve their desired lowering specifications without compromising the quality of the ride.
Hydraulic Lift System
While lowered vehicles boast enhanced aesthetics and performance due to a lowered center of gravity, practical challenges arise when encountering common road obstacles like kerbs, speed bumps, and ramps. Introducing the Hydraulic Lift System (HLS), a sophisticated solution that, with a simple touch of a button, raises the car’s ride height by 45mm. This hydraulic lift system can be seamlessly fitted to either one or both axles, offering flexibility. Whether as a conversion kit or integrated with V2/V3 coilovers based on the application, HLS ensures optimal adaptability for various driving scenarios.
Cancellation Kits
In addition to their extensive range of coilovers, KW introduces a cancellation kit designed to seamlessly integrate with vehicles equipped with adaptive suspension. Plugging into the vehicle’s loom, this kit ensures that when a coilover unit is installed, no warning lights illuminate on the dashboard, preserving the normal functioning of the car’s electrical system.
Whether you’re seeking clarity on specific terms or need information about KW suspension systems, our guide is designed to provide valuable insights and direct you to the relevant details you’re looking for. KW is a renowned brand celebrated for its cutting-edge suspension solutions designed for both street and track applications. With a legacy spanning over 15 years, KW is recognized for its commitment to precision engineering, innovative technology, and a diverse range of products, including coilovers and suspension kits. Trusted by automotive enthusiasts, manufacturers, and motorsport teams globally, KW continues to set benchmarks for performance, comfort, and reliability in the dynamic world of vehicle suspension.
