Our solutions for on-road performance
Learn more about our business
Evolution of performanceAftermarket coilover suspension kits
Leading OEMs such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW, as well as iconic sports car brands such as Porsche and Maserati, rely on the shock absorber expertise of thyssenkrupp BILSTEIN. With the new EVO Performance Line, the company has further strengthened its high-performance portfolio of aftermarket coilover suspension kits.
Motorsport know-how for maximum performance in everyday driving
Shock absorbers make a significant contribution to a vehicle’s handling and driving feel. Without necessarily realizing it, drivers experience the high level of performance these products deliver. This makes shock absorbers for passenger cars true hidden champions. They work reliably in the background, concealed beneath the body panels, yet have a major impact on a vehicle’s safety and comfort.
Martin Flick, Head of Motorsport at thyssenkrupp BILSTEIN and responsible for the Ennepetal-based suspension specialist’s high-performance shock absorbers, agrees.He can only smile at the familiar - though rarely serious - misconception that a passenger car shock absorber is merely a simple piece of technology in which little more happens than a small amount of oil being pushed back and forth through tiny openings.
EVO Performance Line benefits from motorsport experience
Development never stands still in the aftermarket either. “OE development plays an important role in new components and systems. These innovations are also transferred to aftermarket products,” says Martin Flick.
The suspension specialists at thyssenkrupp Automotive Technology also harnessed these synergies when developing their new generation of advanced coilover suspension kits for the performance aftermarket. In late 2019, following two years of intensive development, the new "EVO Performance Line" of BILSTEIN made its debut. “Our new coilover suspension range incorporates detailed solutions from OE development as well as our decades of experience in international motorsport,” the engineer explains.
The range extends from coilover suspension kits for tuning enthusiasts and systems with adjustable rebound and compression settings for occasional track use to professional motorsport suspension systems. From a technical perspective, the new systems represent a significant step forward. This is particularly evident in the EVO R racing suspension system at the top of the range. It features elaborately machined mounting components, a wide range of adjustment options and aluminum rather than steel damper tubes. This provides a real advantage, as every gram counts in motorsport.
“Modern shock absorbers can, of course, do much more than that. OE development in particular is a major driver of innovation. We now have electronically controlled systems in which the valves are actuated by the vehicle’s intelligent control electronics. Cameras scan the road ahead to detect uneven surfaces in advance, while sensors transmit detailed information about body movement and acceleration to the control unit, which adjusts the valves individually for each wheel. Depending on the driving situation, the valves can respond to the respective damping-force requirements several hundred times per second.”
The BILSTEIN EVO coilover suspension combines top performance with a striking design.
Significant technical advances and a striking new look
The changes were not only technical, but strategic as well. The goal was to build closer relationships with customers and experts. BILSTEIN is therefore increasingly going where demand originates and where it can add value as a strong partner: to performance shops and end customers. This gives BILSTEIN first-hand customer feedback.
The new BILSTEIN EVO coilover suspension kits also exceed the expectations of their demanding target audience in terms of appearance. The development team took a new approach and enlisted the support of aspiring product designers. The initial designs were created in collaboration with students from the University of Wuppertal. Many of their ideas were further developed by BILSTEIN engineers in Ennepetal and ultimately made it into series production. The sophisticated matte-black finish and subtle color accents create a timeless new design that clearly stands apart from competing products. This makes the new BILSTEIN coilover suspension kits particularly appealing to the tuning community, where a striking appearance is especially important.
Our OE development and decades of experience in international motorsports play a key role in the design of new parts and systems. Our innovations are also incorporated into aftermarket products – and have been applied to the development of our new line of coilover suspensions.
Ultimately, however, driving dynamics remain the decisive criterion when evaluating performance suspension systems. The suspension setup of many production vehicles represents a compromise between comfort and sporty handling. BILSTEIN resolves this compromise by developing suspension systems specifically for different target groups.
Track-day drivers are one example. Most standard suspension systems are not designed for track days. This is where BILSTEIN comes in: adjustable shock absorbers, different spring rates, camber adjustment and metal bearings instead of rubber-metal components can all be retrofitted with its performance suspension systems. The result is demonstrably faster vehicles without sacrificing too much comfort.
BILSTEIN Performance suspensions combine sporty driving dynamics with excellent everyday practicality.
Everyday usability without compromise
For all its focus on performance, BILSTEIN places great importance on comfort and excellent everyday usability. Its TÜV-approved suspension systems are tuned not only on the racetrack, but also on regular country roads, in urban environments and at test centers. Striking the perfect balance between maximum performance and outstanding drivability has always been a particular strength of thyssenkrupp BILSTEIN suspension systems.
The development team achieved the targeted increase in durability largely through an innovative, highly robust design. A special coating and the zinc-nickel finish used also contribute to greater durability. Both offer excellent corrosion resistance and meet the durability requirements of leading OEMs.
Even though shock absorbers continue to work out of sight, one thing is clear: A good suspension system makes driving more enjoyable. Discover all versions of the BILSTEIN EVO suspension system for different vehicle models here.