KW Functional & Quality Features

RIDE HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE

Configure the Ride Height to your needs

KW coilover suspensions, KW height adjustable springs, and KW DLC Air Suspensions allow the suspension to be lowered within the vehicle's technical limitations. For example, our Street Comfort products allow for a customized ride height setting with mild suspension lowering from 10 - 50 mm, while the Street Performance products allow the maximum technically possible suspension lowering range from 45 - 85 mm, depending on the vehicle. This means that the suspension can be lowered to suit the personal needs of the user and, depending on the product category, a setting ranging from Comfort to Performance can be chosen.

REBOUND ADJUSTABLE TECHNOLOGY

Adjustable Rebound Valve with KW TVR-A (Twin-Valve Rebound Adjustable) Technology.

The rebound stage damping is precisely tuned to the respective vehicle at our in-house drive dynamics test facility, delivered in the middle of the range out of the box. Individual customization can be achieved in 16 precise clicks, allowing you to choose between more comfort or more body control. The two-stage patented TVR-A technology allows the oil to flow through an adjustable, conical low-speed valve during slow piston speeds, while during higher piston speeds the main rebound stage valve opens to handle the flow of large volumes of oil. This provides major improvements in ride comfort without influencing the high-speed.

COMPRESSION ADJUSTABLE TECHNOLOGY (LOW-SPEED)

Adjustable Compression Valve with KW TVC-A (Twin-Valve Compression Adjustable) Technology.

The patented compression valve with TVC-A technology features two separate spring pre-tensioned valves for small and large volume flow. The compression is tuned to the respective vehicle type on our 7-post rig and is delivered in the middle of the range out of the box. With 12 precise clicks the adjustable compression valve can increase or decrease the cross-section in the low speed valve, providing more or less compression damping. In the event of sudden high piston speeds, the low speed spring pre-tensioned needle valve opens to its maximum volume along with the spring pre-tensioned main valve to maximize the volume of oil flow preventing unwanted progressive surges in the high-speed range with its blow-off feature. This makes it possible to support the vehicle body better while still offering more comfort than the conventional valve technology during high wheel travel acceleration. The compression stage damper setting is always supplied in combination with a separate rebound setting, only a truly independent 2-way damper setting allows for true performance optimization.

COMPRESSION ADJUSTABLE TECHNOLOGY (LOW-SPEED & HIGH-SPEED)

Adjustable Compression Valve with KW TVCLH-A (Twin-Valve Compression Low High - Adjustable) Technology.

The compression valve with KW TVCLH-A technology is high-end motor sports technology for the most demanding street and track performance customers. Two separate valves and a two-way adjustable compression valve allow separate compression damping changes in the low and high-speed range. The adjustments are made via two adjustment dials with click increments that feature 16 settings (with 15 clicks) for high-speed and 7 settings (with 6 clicks) of low-speed adjustability. During tuning at the KW driving dynamics test facility, the groundbreaking Variant 4 coilover suspension is tuned to the mid-range setting for the best road performance and provided with an additional recommended setting for occasional track day use. The 3-Way Clubsport coilover suspension is tuned to a mid-level factory setting especially for track day use, with additional range provided for adjusting to a varying degree of vehicle modifications and track conditions. Starting from the factory setting, the damping can be set firmer or softer for low and high-speed. The TVCLH-A technology has a blow-off feature with large cross-section. The resulting amount of low-speed forces create the best support for the vehicle body to keep the tires on the road in the case of wheel-induced high damper speeds (driving over curbs). The separate low and high-speed setting is always supplied with an additional rebound setting, to ensure an independent three-way damper setup.

COMPOSITE SPRING SEAT

Reinventing the way things are done

The KW coilover spring seat, also known as a spring perch, is constructed with a wear-resistant, friction-optimized polyamide composite material encompassing a stainless steel insert. In contrast to the anodized aluminum adjustable spring seats, the polyamide composite material prevents any possible oxidation while the stainless steel insert maximizes strength. In combination with the Inox-Line stainless steel coilover struts, this guarantees the long-term functionality of ride height adjustability.

TRAPEZOIDAL THREAD

The Perfect Height-Adjustable Coilover

In comparison to common coilovers, KW uses a friction-optimized trapezoidal thread which is less sensitive to dirt and requires less force to adjust. Its large cross-section also provides a higher load-bearing capacity.

INOX-LINE

The Truly Permanent Corrosion Resistance

KW’s coilover suspension struts are manufactured from high-quality stainless steel that is rust-proof. In contrast to other solutions, Inox-Line coatings will not wear off while adjusting the suspension making KW coilover struts 100 percent corrosion resistant with an unlimited lifespan. Lowering the suspension using the trapezoidal thread in combination with the polyamide composite spring seat guarantees long term usability. Even after years the ride height adjustability is not affected.

RESERVOIR

KW Twin-Tube Technology Knows No Limits

The KW reservoirs provide additional oil and cooling capacity for particularly high force systems. The reservoir, which is filled with low gas pressure, can be fitted anywhere and accommodate the adjustable compression valve to provide more working space inside the damper.

7-POST DRIVE DYNAMICS APPROVED

Testing to the Nth Degree

Used regularly by automobile manufacturers and international race teams, KW’s in-house 7-post drive dynamics test facility is utilized to optimally tune KW coilover suspensions according to the design and target group. The 7-post drive dynamics test facility is essential for fine tuning along with actual on-road evaluation on public roads and race tracks. In objective laboratory conditions, which can be reproduced at any time, we work everyday to give our customers the internationally-esteemed KW driving experience.

UNIBAL TOP MOUNT

More Track Performance & Adjustment Options

Depending on the vehicle application, the aluminum unibal top mounts feature a scaled camber adjustment and caster can be optionally adjusted. This means that the camber angle can be set, maximizing the tire contact patch when cornering, making handling even more direct. Please note: increased camber values are only recommended for track day use and may reduce tire lifespan when used on the road.

TECHNICAL COMPONENT REPORT

Certified Guidelines

The technical component report is always included in the package and outlines the guidelines for lowering the suspension of the respective vehicle. The technical component report ensures the vehicle remains useable when set within the guidelines provided in the installation instructions, allowing for an inspection and subsequent entry into the vehicle documents to be carried out without any problems. The technical component report also includes precise vehicle classification, requirements, and tips for safe fitting.These reports are required for road legal approval in many countries, check local laws.

KW TVR-A Technology

Twin Valve Rebound – Adjustable

The rebound stage damping is tuned to suit the respective vehicle at our in-house drive dynamics test facility and comes preset in the middle of the range out of the box. For custom settings the user has 16 precise click positions at their disposal, allowing them to choose between more comfort or more body control.

The two-step, patented TVR-A technology enables the small volume to flow through an adjustable, conical low-speed bypass in the case of slow damper speeds, while in the case of higher piston speeds, the main rebound stage valve opens for the large volume flows. This provides a big improvement in terms of ride comfort without influencing the high-speed range.

OIL FLOW FACTORY SETTING 8 CLICKS

The rebound stage bypass channel is open in a mid-range setting. For slow damper speeds, low oil flows through the bypass in the main valve and the adjustable bypass opening.

The result: a basic setting which conforms to our target parameters for the respec-tive vehicle type and application, and ensures an optimum rebound and deflect ratio.

OIL FLOW DURING HARD REBOUND STROKE

Rebound stage bypass channel is closed. The entire volume of oil is throttled through a setup-specific preset spring valve on the piston. The maximum possible rebound damping forces are achieved.

Result: the sporty/firm tuning of the rebound stage helps to provide even tighter control over vehicle rolling and pitching.

OIL FLOW DURING SOFT REBOUND STROKE

Rebound stage bypass channel is open. The bypass oil quantity is no longer available to the spring valve on the piston, the rebound stage damper forces are reduced in the low-speed range and the lowest possible low-speed rebound damping is achieved.

The result: the low rebound damping increases travel and ride comfort.

HIGH-SPEED CHARACTERISTIC

In the case of high damper speeds and large volume flows the spring-loaded main valve opens in addition. The oil flows through a maximum valve cross section.

The result: the rebound stage setting works in the comfort-relevant low-speed range and has no safety-relevant effect on the high-speed range.

KW TVC-A Technology

Twin Valve Compression – Adjustable

The patented compression stage valve with TVC-A technology features two separate spring pre-tensioned valves for low and high volume flows.

The compression stage which is tuned to the particular vehicle type on our 7-post rig is supplied with a mid-range factory setting. With 12 precise clicks the adjustable compression stage valve can increase or decrease the cross section in the low-speed valve to achieve more or less compression stage damping. At the same time, in the case of sud-den high piston speeds, the spring pre-tensioned needle valve and the spring pre-tensioned main valve open to their maximum cross section, utilizing the blow-off feature to prevent undesired progressive power surges in the high-speed range. This allows for improved bracing of the vehicle body while simultaneously offering more comfort than with con-ventional valve technology in the case of high wheel acccelleration. The compression stage damper setting is always supplied in combination with a separate rebound stage setting, as only one independent 2-way damper setting allows for true performance optimization.

OIL FLOW IN BASIC SETTING 6 CLICKS

The spring-loaded adjustable bypass valve is open in a mid-range basic setting. In the case of slow damper speeds the small volume of oil flow runs through the bypass valve. The spring-loaded main valve is closed in the case of slow damper speeds, thus enabling additional low-speed compression damping.

Result: optimum, vehicle-specific tuning with very good bracing against rolling and pitching.

OIL FLOW DURING CLOSED COMPRESSION STAGE IN DUMP VALVE

Closing the spring-loaded bypass valve results in higher compression stage damping in the low-speed range. The closed compression stage generates a more progressive low-speed compression damping characteristic without influencing the high-speed damping.

Result: a sporty/firm tuning of the low speed compression stage can be used for more bracing against body roll or for deliberate tire warming without influencing high speed damping comfort.

OIL FLOW DURING OPEN COMPRESSION STAGE IN DUMP VALVE

The low-speed compression stage damping is reduced by opening the spring-loaded bypass valve.

Result: the reduced low-speed damping allows for more comfort, e.g. to compensate for a harder tire construction without influencing the safety-relevant bracing of the vehicle in the high-speed range.

BLOW-OFF FEATURE

The main compression stage valve opens in the case of higher damper speeds for a tran-sition to a degressive compression stage damping characteristic. In the case of sudden high speed excitation, the main compression stage valve and the spring pre-tensioned, adjustable low-speed bypass valve open to their maximum cross-section. This takes place independently of the selected low-speed setting and enables the flow of an additional vol-ume of oil.

Result: this blow-off feature means that in the case of sudden high-speed excitation, e.g. driving over curbs or expansion joints on highways, wheel contact with the road is ensured – independently of the selected low-speed damping.

KW TVCLH-A Technology

Twin Valve Compression Low High speed – Adjustable

High-end motor sports technology for the most demanding street performance and track performance customers. The 3-way adjustable dampers utilize an independent and separately adjustable 2-way compression valve that enables compression damping changes for both the low and high-speed range. The compression adjustments are made via two adjustment controls on the housing using precise clicks. There are 16 settings for the high-speed range (with 15 clicks) and 7 settings for the low-speed range (with 6 clicks).

During tuning at the KW 7-post Driving Dynamic Test Center, the V4 coilover suspension is tuned so the preset recommended setting for best road performance is in the middle of the adjustment range with an additional recommended settings for the occasional track use. The 3-Way Clubsport coilover suspension is tuned with a preset recommended setting designed for track day use, with an additional recommended setting for the normal highway use. Starting from the factory setting, the damping can be set harder or softer in both the low and high speed ranges. The TVCLH-A technology has a blow-off feature with large cross-sections which allows for a substantial low-speed forces to provide optimum support of the vehicle body without unsettling the body in the case of sudden high damper stimulation induced by the wheels, like driving over apex curbing. The separate low and high-speed settings are always supplied with an additional rebound setting utilizing TVR-A technology for a truly independent 3-way damper setup.

OIL FLOW IN BASIC SETTING 8 CLICKS HIGH-SPEED AND 3 CLICKS LOW-SPEED

KW Clubsport 3-Way Coilover Suspension - Track Setup
KW V4 Coilover Suspension - Street Performance Setup
The low-speed valve is open in the basic setting. At low damper speeds the oil flows through the open bypass. The spring-loaded high-speed pressure disk is closed.

Result: optimum, vehicle-specific tuning with very good bracing against rolling and pitching. The setting enables a good vehicle response to the driving situation. The high-speed valve opens in the case of driving over curbs or expansion joints and allows the deflection of the wheel. The influence of the excitation on the body is reduced, the body remains quieter.

OIL FLOW DURING CLOSED HIGH AND LOW SPEED COMPRESSION STAGE

In a closed low-speed setting the oil flows through the smallest throttle cross-section. At slow damper speeds the compression damping increases.

Result: the adaptation of the damper characteristic to slow body movements such as accelleration out of bends or turning into bends. Adaptations for various tire characteristics are possible in this way. Tire characteristics are an equally possible influence on the cornering behaviour of the vehicle. The closed high -speed range provides the vehicle body with considerably stronger protection against mounds and troughs. The vehicle remains more stable.

OIL FLOW DURING FULLY OPEN HIGH AND LOW-SPEED COMPRESSION STAGE

In an open low-speed setting the oil flows through the largest throttle cross-section. At slow damper speeds the compression damping is reduced.

Result: a reduction in the low-speed pressure reduces smaller jolts and excitations in the body, the comfort is increased. The tire load is reduced. Rolling and pitching are increased. A reduced high-speed damping reduces the “body impact” when driving over curbs.

BLOW-OFF

At higher damper speeds and large volume flows the high-speed valve opens in addi-tion. The oil flows through a maximum valve cross section. This is the transition to a degressive damper characteristic.

HYDRAULIC ELEVATION

Lift It Up

With KW’s hydraulic lift system (HLS) the body can be raised for more ground clearance with the touch of a button, even while driving. With KW’s HLS, obstacles like speed bumps or steep parking garage ramps can be negotiated easily. The system can be used as a vehicle-specific retrofit solution for OEM dampers or as a complete suspension solution including the hydraulic equipment. The KW hydraulic lift system is available for the front axle or for both axles, depending on the application.

APP CONTROL

The KW iSuspension Innovation

With the KW iSuspension apps, customer-specific adjustments can be made simply and intuitively with your smartphone or tablet.

1.) The DDC ECU coilover suspension app allows a choice of three defined damper setups, Comfort, Sport, or Sport+ and also allows a complete individual customization of the adaptive dampers settings during operation.

2.) With the DLC app you can choose between a self-defined lowered suspension setting and the standard vehicle height. Precise adjustments can be made to the vehicle height when combined with our DLC air suspension modules.

Both apps are free to download in the Apple and Google Play stores and required the respective product and WLan module to operate.