Tuning: DTM technology for the Lotus Emira
Suspension manufacturer KW automotive offers the two four-way adjustable suspensions V5 and V5 Clubsport with parts certificate for the Lotus Emira mid-engine sports car, which is still equipped with a combustion engine.
KW manufactures the dampers, which are separately adjustable in the high-speed and low-speed forces of the compression and rebound stages, according to the displacement piston design. Both coilovers allow a stepless lowering of ten to 30 millimeters. While the KW V5 Clubsport was developed uncompromisingly for regular trackday use with semi-slicks, the suspension manufacturer recommends the KW V5 for all those who want to give their Lotus Emira the sporty handling of a Gran Turismo with a plus in rolling comfort. The catalog price of the V5 is 8365 Swiss francs, and the Clubsport version with unibal bearings and racing springs costs 8925 Swiss francs.
No disadvantage in terms of comfort
KW is using solid-piston technology, which is successful in current GT3 customer sport, in more and more road and trackday applications. It does not matter whether the suspension is intended for an off-road vehicle or a sports car. When converting the Lotus standard suspension to the KW V5 or KW V5 Clubsport coilover suspension, the sporty handling of the car does not become less comfortable. Those days are long gone.
Peter Banz from KW automotive Switzerland: "With the V5 and the V5 Clubsport, we also have our displacement technology for the Lotus Emira in our program. The big advantage of our solid piston dampers is that we can work more with the damper hydraulics and make the entire system more compact."
Separately adjustable with 14 clicks
The compression and rebound valves can be adjusted with 14 clicks each in the high-speed and low-speed range. The development engineers use the terms high-speed and low-speed to describe the slow and fast piston rod movements of the shock absorber. Fast speeds during compression and rebound are always caused by poor or undulating asphalt surfaces or when driving over transverse joints. Slow damping speeds, on the other hand, accompany acceleration, braking and steering.
Peter Banz: "Everything that affects the chassis from the road is a high-speed excitation. And everything that is caused directly via the steering wheel or pedals is a low-speed excitation. The compression stage also influences the compression, while the rebound stage is responsible for the rebound."
