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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.
 
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