Bilstein latest news

Double Victory for BILSTEIN at Golden Jubilee of Daytona 24 Hour Race

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

Magnus Racing was able to gain the upper hand in the tense duel against the TRG team and cross the finishing line in first place at the 50th jubilee of the long distance classic. Equipped with BILSTEIN's modular damper system (MDS), the team around Andy Lally, Richard Lietz, René Rast and John Potter at the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 took the chequered flag. In front of a record crowd at Daytona International Speedway, the quartet held on to a slight lead of 9.412 seconds to consign to second place the Porsche 911 GT3 of Wolf Henzler, Bleekemolen, Marc Goossens, Spencer Pumpelly and Steven Bertheau of TRG Racing, which also featured MDS shocks. BILSTEIN experts Pat Macaulay and Martin Flick were there to assist the racing teams in getting their suspension systems perfectly tuned to the conditions and requirements of the Daytona circuit.

"After the big success in 2011, we were again pleased to be the supplier of the two victorious teams at this year's golden jubilee of the 24-hour race. The stress on drivers and cars at Daytona is enormous. Thanks to our experience as long-standing partner to the racing teams we are aware of what is decisive at the marathon race", says Dirk Spohr, head of Motorsport division at BILSTEIN. "Our dampers are developed to meet our customers' requirements, to withstand even the harshest conditions and to provide full performance even during 24-hour races."

Many of the teams competing at Daytona trust BILSTEIN quality and use MDS dampers. MDS forms the platform for a wide range of high-performance dampers that are used in professional motorsport. The damper system developed by BILSTEIN is based on 50 years of motorsport know-how. BILSTEIN has been a trusted partner of racing teams in motorsport for many years. BILSTEIN products are notable for their longevity and quality. The second win in succession at the Daytona 24-hour race with BILSTEIN technology shows: BILSTEIN is a major player in motorsport.

After this nerve-racking 24-hour marathon, BILSTEIN congratulates all the racing teams for their strong performance!

Successful Motorsport Season 2011 for BILSTEIN

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:41:00 +0100

BILSTEIN is a reliable partner to motorsport racing teams and a supplier to the winners of the 24h-race (GT3 Class) at the Nürburgring, Spa-Francorchamps and Daytona (GT Class), to the winners of the Italian, Spanish and Australian GT Championship, as well as to top finishers in the VLN Long Distance Championship at Nürburgring. BILSTEIN products are well known for their longevity and quality. Equipped with BILSTEIN's modular damping system (MDS), many racing teams recorded notable successes in 2011.
The MDS technology is based on more than 50 years of motorsport know-how in a system and forms the platform for a wide range of high-performance dampers for professional racing. The manufacturer of shock absorbers and suspension systems is present at many of the races with the BILSTEIN truck to provide best possible support to the teams. At the race track, BILSTEIN collects important data for improving its products.
"We are very pleased with this year's successes. A wide variety of different cars, ranging from Golf to Porsche, take part at the 24 Hours and at the VLN long-distance championship. In other words, we can cooperate with teams that race the absolute best racing cars, GT3 cars or modified series cars. We can provide the best possible support to our customers thanks to our wide product portfolio of shock absorbers, from tuning to professional motorsport,“ according to Dirk Spohr, head of motorsport at BILSTEIN. "We develop our dampers according to find our customers' requirements, so that our products can withstand even the hardest conditions.“

BILSTEIN congratulates all the victorious teams, thanks all customers for the successful cooperation and is already looking forward to the challenges of the new 2012 season.
Successes with the BILSTEIN MDS in the 2011 season:

24h-Daytona/USA	1st GT ranking, TRG Porsche Grand Am
24h-Nürburgring	1st GT3 ranking, Audi R8 LMS, Phoenix Racing
24h-Spa Francorchamps/Belgium	1st Overall, Audi R8 LMS, WRT-Team 1st GT4 ranking, Nissan 370Z, RJN-Motorsport
VLN Long Distance Championship at Nürburgring	1. Overall, Team Black Falcon, BMW Z4 1. Junior ranking, Team Black Falcon, BMW Z4 1. Series car ranking, Team Black Falcon, BMW Z4
12h Bathurst / Australia	1st Overall, Audi R8 LMS
Blancpain Endurance Series	1st Overall, Audi R8 LMS, WRT-Team 1st GT4 ranking, Nissan 370Z, RJN-Motorsport
Formula 3 Euro Series	5th in Championship, Mücke Motorsport, Dallara F3
Formula 3 Austria Cup	1st Overall, Zeller Motorsport, Dallara F3
Italian GT Championship	1st Overall, Team Audi Sport Italia, Audi R8 LMS
Spanish GT Championship	1st GTS Class, Team NovaDriver, Audi R8 LMS
Australian GT Championship	1st Overall, Team Penfold, Audi R8 LMS
Super Taikyu Japan	1st Overall, Audi R8 LMS
X-Bow Battle, Austria	1st in the Open Class

Superior performance – The B12 sport suspension kit

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:00:00 +0100

Ennepetal/Essen, November 28, 2011 – BILSTEIN and EIBACH will be unveiling their new B12 sport suspension kit at the Essen Motor Show 2011. Under the Performance2 formula, the B12 combines components from the two "best brands" BILSTEIN and EIBACH in a single product. The B12 is available in B12 Pro-Kit and B12 Sportline versions. The product line brings together four specially adapted high-performance BILSTEIN B8 shock absorbers with high-grade EIBACH springs. The result is a top quality sport suspension unit featuring exclusive "Made in Germany" technologies. The B12 offers maximum sports performance and driving pleasure plus high degrees of comfort and safety. As visitors enter the event through Entrance South, they will be given a visual treat in the form of a BMW 3 Series featuring exclusive Performance2 paintwork. At the BILSTEIN booth a black Ford Mustang kitted out with the new B12 and the stylish Performance2 paintwork is sure to attract large numbers of admirers. Tuning fans will be able to get expert advice from the BILSTEIN specialists.
The B12 sport suspension kit combines sporty dynamics with maximum functional capacity. Allowing the car to be lowered by up to 40 mm, the Pro-Kit provides an impressive level of sporty driving performance combined with a precise response, excellent driving dynamics and high-level safety reserves. The emphasis in the Sportline version is on a sporty appearance and dynamic driving characteristics. Permitting lowering of up to 50 mm, it puts any car into closer contact with the road. Experts carried out elaborate driving tests to harmonize the EIBACH springs perfectly with the BILSTEIN shock absorbers. The sport suspension kit achieves outstanding driving dynamics values thanks to the BILSTEIN monotube gas pressure technology and the EIBACH lowering springs. Even after intensive use, the high-quality springs retain their target height. TÜV certification has already been issued for the B12 suspensions.
Suspensions show their potential and quality most clearly during cornering, which is why visitors to the BILSTEIN booth are being encouraged to enter their favorite bends in a world map provided by Google Maps and Google Street View as part of the "Dream Curves" campaign. Tuning fans can also enter their favorite bend on the Performance2 website (www.performance2.info) to let other sports drivers in on the world of beautiful curves.

www.performance2.info

Opel Corsa OPC “Nürburgring Edition”

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:00:00 +0100

Ennepetal, November 16, 2011 – The Opel Corsa OPC "Nürburgring Edition" is the master of the road with its BILSTEIN sport suspension kit. The distinct racing version of the classic Opel sets new standards for small cars with its powerful design and its state-of-the-art engine technology. The completely retuned BILSTEIN suspension kit gives the powerful Corsa an unparalleled level of driving dynamics and driving pleasure. The combination of BILSTEIN shock absorbers and EIBACH springs successfully blends racing sport technology with everyday motoring suitability. The sports suspension has been tested on the Nordschleife and fine-tuned to meet the precise needs of the Opel Corsa. But customers should be aware that only limited numbers of the special edition Opel are available.
The "Nürburgring Edition" of the Opel Corsa OPC including its BILSTEIN suspension kit has everything that motoring enthusiasts could ever look for in a car: a 210 PS engine with modified turbocharger, lowered BILSTEIN sports suspension, brakes with 305 mm discs and with a mechanical locking differential on the front axle. BILSTEIN helps the Opel Corsa take all bends in its stride. The high performance BILSTEIN suspension kit includes a monotube upside-down shock absorber on the front axle, a monotube gas pressure shock absorber on the rear axle and EIBACH springs on both axles – ensuring that the Opel Corsa stays firmly on the ground at all times.
"There is currently a clear trend towards car makers' fitting products made by power-brand suppliers in their special models. Our OEM production quality combined with our motor sports expertise result in top quality tuning products, but car manufacturers such as Opel are also keen to use our products in their models," says Thomas Wörmann, Head of Marketing at BILSTEIN. "The sport suspension kit is fitted in the Opel Corsa OPC "Nürburgring Edition" at the Opel plant in Eisenach."
At the heart of the BILSTEIN and EIBACH suspension kit used in the Opel is the B12. Driving a car fitted with the B12 made by two of the "Best Brands" in the industry allows motorists to enjoy a little of that motor sports feeling in their everyday driving. Anyone interested in customizing their car should contact the BILSTEIN experts. BILSTEIN designs suspensions specially for small production runs and for special customization jobs. Examples include Bugatti, Lotus, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo and the Nissan GT-R. Production runs of between two and 1,000 vehicles are quite normal – meaning that BILSTEIN had a vast pool of experience to draw upon when it came to designing and producing the suspension for the Opel Corsa OPC "Nürburgring Edition". Because of BILSTEIN's profound know-how it can custom-produce suspensions for more or less any car. Like all of the BILSTEIN sport and coilover kits, the suspension for the Opel Corsa OPC "Nürburgring Edition" has been put through intensive testing on the Nordschleife at the Nürburgring race track. The sport suspension kit was subjected to a rigorous 10,000 km endurance test on the "Green Hell" and fine-tuned to the precise needs of the Opel Corsa.

BILSTEIN taking on "The Fast and the Furious"

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:00:00 +0100

Ennepetal, November,15 2011 – "The Fast and the Furious" is the theme of the BILSTEIN-booth (Hall 3.0, Booth 307) at this year's Essen Motor Show from 11/26 to 12/4/2011 is. A black Ford Mustang featuring a B12 suspension unit and the customized Performance2 look from BILSTEIN and EIBACH will be on display. A further highlight will be the Opel Corsa OPC “Nürburgring Edition” with a BILSTEIN sports suspension unit – putting the motor racing feeling into road driving. In Germany her name is synonymous with tuning: Lina Van de Mars. Lina will be giving insider information on tuning to visitors at 2 p.m. on Sunday 11/27 and again on Saturday 12/3 at 11 a.m.. There will also be plenty to raise the interest of club sport fans – BILSTEIN is set to unveil an amazing new product.
A black Ford Mustang, as featured in the fourth "Fast & Furious" movie – "New Model. Original Parts.", has been given optimized road-holding and a sporty make-over in the form of the B12 from BILSTEIN and EIBACH. Under the Performance2 label the B12 combines components from the two "best brands" BILSTEIN and EIBACH. The B12 is available in Pro-Kit and Sportline versions and offers maximum sports performance and driving pleasure plus a high degree of comfort and safety. The perfectly tuned BILSTEIN suspension kit gives the Opel Corsa OPC Nürburgring Edition unrivaled driving dynamics and a unique level of driving enjoyment. One of the special edition models will be displayed exclusively at the BILSTEIN booth.
Special events at the BILSTEIN-booth will include appearances by Lina Van de Mars and Walter Röhrl. Lina Van de Mars will show what to watch out for when tuning suspensions and highlight what effects these modifications can have on the driving response. A well-known German TV personality and tuning expert, Lina will be explaining at 2 p.m. on Sunday 11/27 and again on Saturday 12/3 at 11 a.m. why anyone who's serious about tuning should only use quality suspension products. The ambassador of the BILSTEIN "Tiefer geht anders!” (“Lower it right!”) campaign will also sign autographs and take time to talk to her fans. Walter Röhrl will generate plenty of motor sports atmosphere by bringing along his 1982 championship-winning Opel Ascona 400. Multiple rally world champion Röhrl will also be signing autographs on Saturday 11/26 at 11 a.m..
There can only be one winner in the "Ultimate Tuner Race" in which three candidates will be competing live alongside US tuning icon Eddie Paul, who was responsible for tuning the vehicles in two of the Fast & Furious movies. BILSTEIN is sponsoring the search for the best tuner in which the new BILSTEIN B12 will be fitted to a BMW 3 Series E46. The tuning event will be held in Hall 1A throughout the trade show. There will also be some serious "pimping" at the SKN booth. BILSTEIN B14s will help turn a production model VW Golf GTI into a classy tuning car. The BILSTEIN B14 allows the ride height to be flexibly adjusted by up to 20 millimeters without any requirement for a further TÜV inspection. This exclusive Golf GTI will then be given away in a prize draw on the final day of the event.
Anyone interested in checking out superior, German-built technology should visit the BILSTEIN stand at the Essen Motor Show. They'll be treated not only to tuned cars and appearances by tuning and motor racing stars, but above all to top quality suspension technology including customized tuning and motor sport solutions. Visitors can also get professional and individual advice from the BILSTEIN experts.
BILSTEIN stand (Hall 3.0, Stand 307)

Thanks to our sponsors:
www. uscars24.de

New Publication The book "50 Years of BILSTEIN Motor Sport"

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Ennepetal, November 14, 2011 – For its 50 year motor sport anniversary, BILSTEIN has published an exclusive book that will appeal to all motor sport enthusiasts and BILSTEIN fans. Combined with spectacular pictures, "50 Years of BILSTEIN Motor Sport" tells exciting stories relating to the business and motor sport history of BILSTEIN that will provide motor sport enthusiasts with a riveting insight into the past history of this successful company. For the winning of the Monte Carlo Rally 1960 to legendary victories in all important 24-hour races and the world title in the Formula 1 World Championship: BILSTEIN is an established name in motor sport. The list of drivers who have gone down into motorsport history on shock absorbers from Ennepetal is long and fascinating. Racing sports legends such as Klaus Ludwig, Hans-Joachim Stuck or Walter Röhrl remember their own personal relationship with BILSTEIN and guide us with anecdotes through five decades of motor sport. The 160 page book, which is published in a limited edition in German and English, is available for € 29.90 from the BILSTEIN fan shop on the BILSTEIN homepage.

After its founding in 1873 the company, managed by August Bilstein, produced window hardware. In the 1950s the family owned company started to produce gas-pressure shock absorbers: the stepping stone to BILSTEIN's success. From then on this manufacturer of shock absorbers and suspension systems has been one of the leading motorsport suppliers. Together with Porsche in the long distance championship and at the Dakar Rally, or with McLaren in the Formula 1, or Schnitzer-BMW in the previous DTM, and AMG-Mercedes in the later DTM – a multitude of motorsport companies have achieved their success with products from BILSTEIN. "The book '50 Years of BILSTEIN Motor Sport' impressively illustrates the history of our company. Current BILSTEIN products combine innovative technologies with the experience from 50 years of motor sport”, according to Dirk Spohr, Motor Sport Director at BILSTEIN.
The book "50 Years of BILSTEIN Motor Sport“ is now available in limited edition in German and English exclusively from the BILSTEIN fan shop.

Like being on cloud 9 – BILSTEIN B4 air suspension module now available on the independent aftermarket

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0200

Ennepetal, October 19, 2011 – Trading start for BILSTEIN’s air suspension module to the independent aftermarket is in October. With the introduction of the air suspension modules for the BMW 7 Series E65 and E66, BILSTEIN is expanding its product portfolio, which currently includes air suspension modules for Mercedes Benz. BILSTEIN is then planning to expand its product offering soon, as other premium applications are in the pipeline.

With the development of a BILSTEIN B4 air suspension module for the BMW 7 series E65 and E66, BILSTEIN has responded to the increasing market popularity of air springs. The high performance BILSTEIN B4 air suspension module is now also available to the independent aftermarket thanks to BILSTEIN transferring its OE competence to the aftermarket. To begin with, the air suspension module will be produced only for vehicles with leveling on the rear axle and for passive shock absorbing systems.

In addition to offering OE quality, the numerous product benefits are obvious. Just like the OE product, the BILSTEIN B4 air suspension module guarantees quickest ever reactions to road and vehicle conditions. The result is excellent comfort and perfect driving characteristics, with high power reserves for maximum safety. The BILSTEIN gas pressure technology provides constant damping power under any axle load.

Air suspension systems allow you to adjust to different vehicle height positions by varying the air pressure in the bellows. This advantage is particularly notable when leveling all kinds of loads. Various aerodynamic and terrain positions are also possible.

Original equipment quality is in demand in the aftermarket: The launch of the BMW 7 series BILSTEIN B4 air suspension module is also the starting shot for an entire range. BILSTEIN is planning to introduce additional part numbers for applications in the premium segment over the coming months. The high quality air suspension modules will all be produced and tested to OE specifications, including the usual endurance and cold-impact tests. "We occupy a unique market niche. There are currently no competing products on the market apart from the original series spare parts of the vehicle manufacturer. This makes the BILSTEIN B4 air suspension module unique", says Dirk Everding, Director Production & Development at BILSTEIN.

The technical concept is based on a modular system which can be used as the basis for the new development of future BILSTEIN B4 air suspension module applications. BILSTEIN engineers have subjected the shock absorbing system to road trials in Papenburg to ensure that it complies with OE series standards. The air suspension module was intensely checked at the test center there. Backed by extensive adjustment drives, BILSTEIN now offers its customers production-like premium class driving comfort with that special BILSTEIN driving feeling.
The shock absorbers are produced at BILSTEIN’s Ennepetal plant in Germany in a production area specially created for this purpose, by dedicated personnel assigned for this work. The expansion of this innovative product segment is strategic; investments in the location thus include the establishment of new assembly and material areas, a new leak testing facility and final assembly packaging.

This is a new business segment that BILSTEIN engineers have explored. "We recognized early on that the air suspension business is expanding strongly. True to our policy of "Engineered & Made in Germany", our aftermarket product developers got together with their colleagues from original equipment to tackle the task of coming up with product that offers series replacement the same benefits as an original equipment air suspension", according to Dirk Everding.

Editorial note:
The development of the BILSTEIN B4 air suspension module for the BMW 7 series brings to the independent aftermarket a suspension technology which BILSTEIN engineers originally developed jointly with Mercedes-Benz. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W220), for example, owes its legendary driving comfort to the BILSTEIN B4 air suspension. BILSTEIN currently produces active air suspension modules for the E and M class, as well as for the Jaguar XJ. Air suspension modules that BILSTEIN developed with Land Rover are used in its Discovery and Range Rover Sport models because of their performance in difficult off-road terrain.

Air suspension modules or air suspensions are available for the following models:
-    BMW 7 series E65/E66
-    Jaguar XJ C350
-    MB CLS C219
-    MB E Class W211/S211
-    MB GL Class X164
-    MB S Class W220
-    MB M Class W164
-    MB R Class W251
-    MB S Class W221
-    Jaguar XJ
-    Land Rover Discovery
-    Range Rover Sport

It's back!

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0200

Ennepetal, September 30 2011 – The 2012 BILSTEIN motor sports calendar - a sure fire hit with all motor sports fans. The spectacular international motor sports pictures compiled here by the suspension, shock absorber and spring specialist BILSTEIN are guaranteed to whet the appetite for the 2012 season. For just EUR 9.50 plus shipment costs, the new BILSTEIN motor sports calendar is a genuine eye-catcher, featuring the most exciting scenes from the best race series, month after month.

BILSTEIN once again manages to conjure up that spine-tingling motor sports atmosphere - in your home, office or workshop. The main focus of this year's color pictures is on the Audi R8 LMS at the 24h Nürburgring race. The track also features in the month of May, with a bird's-eye view of the legendary motor sports venue. September offers a rare picture of the Truck Grand-Prix at the Nürburgring. Further highlights are images of the Ultra 4 American Rocksports Challenge, the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona with the Turner Motorsport BMW M3 and the Ferrari 458 Italia in the classic 24 Hours of Le Mans. The BILSTEIN calendar will be bringing the entire year of international motor sports to life once again in 2012.
The 2012 motor sports calendar is now available to order from the BILSTEIN fan shop at http://www.bilstein-shop.bd-group.de or info@bilstein.de.

BILSTEIN app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0200

Ennepetal, 26.09.2011 – The waiting is over: With the free German/English Bilstein app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, the BILSTEIN catalogue, currently featuring more than 8,000 article numbers for more than 20,000 different vehicle types, is now available worldwide and around the clock from all mobile devices. With the app, BILSTEIN offers its customers the option of being completely up to date at all times. The app accesses the Web database of the BILSTEIN, providing you with the most up to date information whenever you need it. Everything at a glance: Clearly organized by carmaker, users find information on all available BILSTEIN products. A search function makes it easy to identify the product you are looking for.
With the new app, mobile devices now keep its users up to date anytime and anywhere about the products of Ennepetal-based suspension specialist BILSTEIN. Thanks to the comprehensive BILSTEIN portfolio, ranging from series replacement to tuning and motorsport, customers can quickly find the correct products for themselves and their vehicles. "The BILSTEIN app is an easy-to-use tool for drivers, workshops and dealers with which they can call up all relevant information for purchasing springs, shock absorbers, suspensions and accessories wherever you go", explains BILSTEIN’S general manager Thorsten Schwippert. "This allows our customers to find out quickly and easily which product from our complete range is the correct one for them."
The BILSTEIN app is now available in German and English from the app store.

BILSTEIN - Triumphant in the 24 Hours of Spa

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 +0200

The Audi team WRT emerged victorious in this year's 24 hour race at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium last weekend using BILSTEIN's Modular Damping System (MDS). DTM stars Timo Scheider and Mattias Ekström and long-distance specialist Greg Franchi drove to victory with a comfortable two-lap lead over the second placed team on the 7004 kilometer race course. The RJN Motorsport team also performed well in the 24 hour race. The British team became class winner in its Nissan 370Z fitted with BILSTEIN MDS shock absorbers. RJN Motorsport came out on top in the closely fought GT4 class despite tough duelling for position and countless risky passing maneuvers and breakdowns. BILSTEIN's Modular Damping System (MDS) combines roughly 50 years of motor sport know-how in a single system, forming the platform for a wide range of high-performance shock absorbers for professional racing. BILSTEIN puts a little motor sport into everyday driving with its vast experience in racing. The know-how which feeds into all BILSTEIN products benefits the professionals but also all dynamic drivers and tuning fans. Because all BILSTEIN sports and coilover suspension kits are put through exacting tests on the Nordschleife and at BILSTEIN's own test center in Papenburg - guaranteeing the unique BILSTEIN driving experience.