Partnering the automotive industry in all aspects of suspension technology

BILSTEIN - putting visions on the road

Germany, Ennepetal, 12 November 2009 – Futuristic concept cars are always a highlight at major exhibitions and shows around the world. As a trusted partner working with the automotive industry, the suspension technology experts BILSTEIN are involved in development right from these early stages. What distinguishes BILSTEIN in this context is the company's experience in suspension design, gained over many decades, plus its ability to adapt standard and sports shock absorbers, as well as sports and threaded suspension systems, from its existing portfolio to suit individual concept vehicles, studies or other new developments. The latest example of this is the company's co-operation with the Japanese car maker Mazda on its MX-5 Superlight Version concept car. Together with the European Mazda Design Centre in Oberursel, Germany, BILSTEIN has designed a suspension system specifically tailored to this purist vehicle. The threaded suspension unit used is the BILSTEIN B16 PSS10. BILSTEIN is, however, also well represented in Mazda's series production - any customer ordering the Mazda MX-5 with the 'Sports Line' equipment option is guaranteed perfect driving dynamics thanks to the four BILSTEIN mono-tube gas pressure shock absorbers, which are part of the package.

Less is more

In the beginning there is always the visionary idea. That is how it was with the Roadster MX-5 twenty years ago and that is also how Mazda's MX-5 Superlight Version concept car was conceived. It took just three months for the European Design Centre to create an uncompromising sports car using lightweight car body construction, based on the Japanese roadster. To ensure that the roadster's additional agility was not achieved at the expense of handling, the car has a specially adapted BILSTEIN threaded suspension system. On the BILSTEIN B26 PSS10 the 10 characteristic curves for individual setting of the damping force of the rebound and compression phases are modified in parallel. The desired setting - from high driving comfort to extreme sportiness - can be selected via the adjusters with the shock absorbers in situ, as these are easy to access and require no elaborate dismantling.

Commenting on the choice of suspension system, Hasip Girgin, head of project design, said: "Right from the beginning, the BILSTEIN suspension unit suited the character of the vehicle, and thus our concept of an uncompromising open two-seater. Following a successful driving trial, we found a suspension unit that fits our Mazda MX-5 Superlight Version like a glove." The positive contact and lively exchange of ideas between the design team and the suspension engineers at both Mazda and BILSTEIN was an important feature of the co-operation.

From concept car to standard replacement

The list of car manufacturers who rely on BILSTEIN know-how is a long one and is proof of the fact that the company's development expertise and innovative ability is in demand worldwide. Alongside Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, customers include Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Bugatti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lotus, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Nissan. These manufacturers rely on BILSTEIN's technologically advanced products not just for sports cars, but also for small and compact cars, plus off-road vehicles. The expertise gained in the Original Equipment sector, with individual adaptation to suit the many different types of vehicle, is reflected in all the shock absorber systems. Extensive driving trials on the test track in Papenburg round off BILSTEIN's fine-tuning of all the company's products. Accordingly, the extensive portfolio speaks for itself: BILSTEIN stands for maximum expertise and quality in perfectly adjusted suspension units offering high performance, whichever field they are used in.

Partnering the automotive industry in all aspects of suspension technology

BILSTEIN - putting visions on the road

Germany, Ennepetal, 12 November 2009 – Futuristic concept cars are always a highlight at major exhibitions and shows around the world. As a trusted partner working with the automotive industry, the suspension technology experts BILSTEIN are involved in development right from these early stages. What distinguishes BILSTEIN in this context is the company's experience in suspension design, gained over many decades, plus its ability to adapt standard and sports shock absorbers, as well as sports and threaded suspension systems, from its existing portfolio to suit individual concept vehicles, studies or other new developments. The latest example of this is the company's co-operation with the Japanese car maker Mazda on its MX-5 Superlight Version concept car. Together with the European Mazda Design Centre in Oberursel, Germany, BILSTEIN has designed a suspension system specifically tailored to this purist vehicle. The threaded suspension unit used is the BILSTEIN B16 PSS10. BILSTEIN is, however, also well represented in Mazda's series production - any customer ordering the Mazda MX-5 with the 'Sports Line' equipment option is guaranteed perfect driving dynamics thanks to the four BILSTEIN mono-tube gas pressure shock absorbers, which are part of the package.

Less is more

In the beginning there is always the visionary idea. That is how it was with the Roadster MX-5 twenty years ago and that is also how Mazda's MX-5 Superlight Version concept car was conceived. It took just three months for the European Design Centre to create an uncompromising sports car using lightweight car body construction, based on the Japanese roadster. To ensure that the roadster's additional agility was not achieved at the expense of handling, the car has a specially adapted BILSTEIN threaded suspension system. On the BILSTEIN B26 PSS10 the 10 characteristic curves for individual setting of the damping force of the rebound and compression phases are modified in parallel. The desired setting - from high driving comfort to extreme sportiness - can be selected via the adjusters with the shock absorbers in situ, as these are easy to access and require no elaborate dismantling.

Commenting on the choice of suspension system, Hasip Girgin, head of project design, said: "Right from the beginning, the BILSTEIN suspension unit suited the character of the vehicle, and thus our concept of an uncompromising open two-seater. Following a successful driving trial, we found a suspension unit that fits our Mazda MX-5 Superlight Version like a glove." The positive contact and lively exchange of ideas between the design team and the suspension engineers at both Mazda and BILSTEIN was an important feature of the co-operation.

From concept car to standard replacement

The list of car manufacturers who rely on BILSTEIN know-how is a long one and is proof of the fact that the company's development expertise and innovative ability is in demand worldwide. Alongside Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, customers include Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Bugatti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lotus, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Nissan. These manufacturers rely on BILSTEIN's technologically advanced products not just for sports cars, but also for small and compact cars, plus off-road vehicles. The expertise gained in the Original Equipment sector, with individual adaptation to suit the many different types of vehicle, is reflected in all the shock absorber systems. Extensive driving trials on the test track in Papenburg round off BILSTEIN's fine-tuning of all the company's products. Accordingly, the extensive portfolio speaks for itself: BILSTEIN stands for maximum expertise and quality in perfectly adjusted suspension units offering high performance, whichever field they are used in.