Fichtenberg (Germany) – The suspension manufacturer KW automotive is benefiting from the high demand for Tesla vehicle models in all markets. The compression and rebound forces adjustable KW Variant 3 coilover suspension kit is now available for all Tesla Model Y (AWD). “Our suspension developments for electric vehicles such as the Tesla Model 3 and VW e-up, as well as the plug-in hybrid VW Golf 7 GTE are among our most highly demanded vehicle applications,” says KW Brand Manager Jonas Ehrmann. “In this context, we were surprised by the high demand for coilovers. Since we also offer a suspension for the Model 3, we are approaching a completely new customer group that previously never considered buying a coilover suspension or modifying anything at all on a car.”
The all-wheel-drive Tesla Model Y, which weighs up to two tons, benefits from significantly better support of the electric SUV body by upgrading to a KW coilover suspension. The KW shocks feature a two-stage, multi-valve damper technology that allows the damping forces to be tuned. “With KW Variant 3, we use low-speed and high-speed valves for the compression and rebound forces,” says KW Brand Manager Jonas Ehrmann, describing the damper valve design. Whereas steering and braking on solid, flat-level road surfaces result in slow piston rod speeds, high damper speeds occur on poorly maintained bumpy tarmac even when driving straight ahead. The adjustable low-speed rebound stage influences the rebound during load changes in the compressed state. It’s to adjust the handling characteristics to be stiffer or more comfortable. The low-speed compression stage further influences the steering and pitching behavior of the heavy electric SUV when braking and accelerating. To a certain extent, the compression valve affects the ride comfort. “Our preloaded high-speed compression and rebound valves in the KW Variant 3, which are pre-tuned to the Model Y in the damper assembly, become active when the road surface makes itself felt as a disturbing factor in the wheel’s vertical acceleration in the form of transverse joints, edges or bumps,” explains KW Brand Manager Jonas Ehrmann. “The preloaded valves open, the wheel can compress, and so the Model Y does not lose contact with the road when it encounters bumps.” As a result, the Tesla electric SUV drives significantly sportier with the KW Variant 3 coilover suspension kit without scarifying the residual ride comfort for the better handling. The KW suspension setup is as firm as necessary and as sporty-comfortable as possible in everyday driving. “The German electromobility specialist Nextmove from Leipzig proved that installing a KW Variant 3 in a Tesla Model 3 with rear-wheel drive, that the range increases up to seven percent in conjunction with the standard wheel-tire combination,” KW Brand Manager Jonas Ehrmann continues.
Approved by the technical parts certificate the Tesla Model Y with all-wheel-drive is stepless adjustable on both axles between 25 and 50 millimeters. Already at the Essen Motor Show will be the KW Variant 3 coilover suspension kit available for all Model Y all-wheel-drive models (Long Range AWD and Performance AWD), the market launch of the KW Variant 3 for all Tesla Model Y with rear-wheel-drive will be probably in spring 2022.
