KW Clubsport 3-way coilover with new KW valve technology

Posted By: Tires & Parts Newson: Tuesday, April 20, 2021In: News, Parts

For almost half a century, the Japanese car manufacturer Toyota has been engaged in rally motorsport. The new GR Yaris is the homologation model for Toyota’s World Rally Championship. Due to the high demand for a suspension for the three-door all-wheel drive sports car that is suitable for everyday life and racetrack use, the suspension manufacturer KW automotive has developed the new KW Clubsport 3-way. The Clubsport coilover, made of stainless steel, applies new valve technology so that balancing reservoirs are not needed. Thanks to their new multi-valve design, the dampers are separately adjustable in high-speed compression with 14 exact clicks and in the low-speed compression with 13 clicks, as well as in low-speed rebound with 16 clicks. This enables track day enthusiasts the freedom to individually adjust the suspension to the tires, rims and layout of the track. In addition, the KW Clubsport coilover has unibal top mounts of aluminum to adjust the camber on the front axle. As part of the technical approvements, the compact all-wheel-drive sports car can be steplessly lowered from 25 – 45 millimeters on both axles.

Numerous drivers of the Toyota GT86 and the current Toyota GR Supra opt for a KW Clubsport coilover when modernizing a suspension in the independent aftermarket. “The new Gazoo Racing Yaris is Toyota’s third sports model in recent times,” says KW Brand Manager Jonas Ehrmann.

KW Clubsport coilovers – adapted motorsport technology for streetcars

KW automotive develops and manufactures various dampers and complete suspensions for numerous customer sports programs of car manufacturers. For instance, all Toyota GR Supra GT4 are homologated with a KW Competition racing suspension. KW Clubsport suspensions also apply a damper and adjustment technology that both come from the motorsport. “With our KW Clubsport coilovers, we consistently rely on our experience in equipping various touring cars,” explains KW Brand Manager Jonas Ehrmann. “Our revised valve technology is new to the KW Clubsport 3-way for the GR Yaris. With this one, our new damper design eliminates the external piggy pack.” The adjustable low-speed and high-speed compression valves are attached on the side of the struts and rear axle dampers of stainless steel. The low-speed excitations, caused for instance by steering and braking, can be adjusted directly on the KW Clubsport strut and rear-axle damper with 13 clicks using the purple adjusting ring. The high-speed compression forces can be adjusted separately with 14 clicks via the golden wheel. A high-speed excitation for the damper is typical when driving over bumps, curbs or transverse joints. The rebound, which among other factors also influences the suspension’s de-compression, is adjusted on the KW Clubsport coilover directly on the piston rod with 16 clicks. Whereas the purple wheel on the rear axle damper is permanently integrated in the taking up of the piston rod, the wheel on the front axle is inserted into the piston rod for adjustment. Via the unibal top mounts of aluminum on the front axle struts, it is possible, if desired, to further adapt the camber and backlash for the handling in bends.

We recommend our KW Clubsport coilovers primarily to track day enthusiasts who regularly drive a streetcar that is similar to the standard,” advises Jonas Ehrmann. “Our Clubsport coilovers have a technical parts certificate and are optimized for track day use compared to our suspensions for ordinary streets.” The KW Clubsport coilovers have a tighter setup in order to perform at their best on racetracks. With the adjustable multi-valve damper technology, it is nonetheless easy to adapt the suspension setup to the road. “Furthermore, our documentation of the suspension always includes setup instructions,” continues the KW brand manager. “The setup on the suspension can be changed at any time with just a few clicks.” The KW Clubsport 3-way coilover for the Toyota GR Yaris also offers the freedom to set a stepless lowering. According to technical approvements, a stepless lowering of 25 to 45 millimeters can be selected on the front and rear axle.