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More and more car manufacturers are opting for air suspension in their high-end mid-size cars, including bilateral and, in the case of the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo (G32), rear-wheel-biased arrangements. In order to react to this trend reversal, KW, the suspension specialist, has redesigned its KW V3 coilover suspension. From now on, the original air spring systems and the KW V3 coilover kit can be used together in certain vehicle models. For the BMW 6 Series GT (G32), the standard air bag is mounted directly above the KW damper. KW, known for its aftermarket suspension offering, plans to offer the innovative system for other vehicles with rear-wheel-biased air suspension. With the right certification, the Gran Turismo can be lowered by up to 55 millimeters. In addition, the coilover suspension was equipped with a 21-inch BBS CI-R Unlimited alloy wheel set and Goodyear tires.
KW V3 & OEM air suspension
KW automotive already had suspensions for vehicles with level control on the rear axle in its range in the past. In older BMW models, such as the 5 Series Touring of the E39 and E61 series, the air suspension and the rear axle damper were separate. This is no longer the case with many current models. In the 6 series GT (G32), the rear axle shock absorber and the air suspension element are now one unit. “In the development vehicle, the vehicle owner tried to lower the vehicle by installing lowering springs on the front axle and shortened link rods on the level sensor", explains Florian Johann, KW Brand Manager. "Due to the comparatively higher spring force of the air suspension, which increases during compression, the standard rear axle dampers were overloaded. Despite the moderate drop, there was practically no more free travel and the chassis was on the bump stop."
KW damper, especially for air suspension
In the rear axle of the BMW 6 Series GT (G32), damper struts made of stainless steel are now installed. These are shortened and have a reduced rebound travel due to the rebound sleeves integrated in the damper, so that the attached original air suspension can function optimally. The original air spring is positioned lower on the KW damper compared to the original. In addition, special elastomer bump stops have been added.
So that the conversion can be carried out in any car workshop or at a certified KW specialist dealer, the scope of delivery of the KW V3 coilover kit includes a special tool for removing the original air suspension. The KW V3 dampers for the BMW 6 Series GT (G32) with air suspension can be adjusted independently in their compression and rebound stages, just like the well-known KW V3 coilovers with conventional suspension springs. The rebound low-speed bypass valve, which is used to fine-tune the handling, can be modified in 16 stages.
The extent to which the chassis rebounds after compression is determined by the rebound stage, which in turn has an impact on the handling of the 6 Series GT on the road. In addition, the cross section of the low-speed compression valve can be enlarged or reduced in twelve click stages in order to individually adjust the damping during compression. The compression stage influences the immersion speed of the damper piston and thus the steering behavior, pitching and rolling of the vehicle body.
on noble BBS CI-R Unlimited alloy wheels
The stepless lowering is set on the front axle struts using the rotating spring plate and the stainless steel strut. The drive axle is lowered using adjustable articulated rods. The certified lowering range is 30 to 55 millimeters on the front axle and 25 to 55 millimeters. This special KW V3 coilover kit is currently only available for the BMW 6 Series GT (G32) with rear-wheel drive. In the pictures you can see BBS CI-R Unlimited alloy wheels in sizes 9,5×21 inches and 11×21 inches, combined with Goodyear Eagle F1 tires in sizes 265/35 R21 and 295/30 R21. The recommended retail price is EUR 2.616.
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KW V3 in combination with the OEM air suspension in the BMW 6er GT!
Photo credit: KW Automotive GmbH
