New Generation of KW V3 Clubsport Coilovers for 2023 Honda Civic Type R: Tailormade KW GT4 Motorsports Design for Trackday Enthusiasts
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Sporty compact sports cars like the Honda Civic Type R, Hyundai i30 N, Renault Mégane R.S., and VW Golf GTI prove they don’t need rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. To help drivers improve lap times during track outings, suspension manufacturer KW automotive offers a range of club sport suspensions with component certificates.
KW automotive launches a new generation of two-way adjustable clubsport coilover suspension for the 2023 Honda Civic Type R (FL5), designed to help drivers shave valuable seconds off their lap times. Like the KW Racing suspensions dominating GT4, the new KW V3 Clubsport coilover suspension boosts the 329hp Civic Type R’s track performance. Featuring upside-down MacPherson struts and unibal-mounted aluminum top mounts, it’s optimized for enhanced handling with sports tires and semi-slicks. Fine-tune compression and rebound forces in the low-speed range for ultimate control. Street legal for track use, the KW V3 Clubsport, and the street-tire-focused KW V3 allow lowering the already-sporty Civic Type R by an additional 10-30 millimeters. The BBS CI-R Unlimited wheels measure 10×19 inches and are paired with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires in 265/30R19, as seen in the Honda Civic Type R KW automotive press images.
Sporty compact models are becoming increasingly powerful and faster. For several model generations, the compact sports cars Honda Civic Type R and Renault Mégane R.S., which are popular in the European trackday community, have been competing head-to-head in their class for the crown of the fastest Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time. Honda has followed up with the new Civic Type R (FL5) and surpassed its predecessor. The new KW V3 Clubsport coilover suspension for the Type R also surpasses the old KW V3 Clubsport coilover suspension. “It is a completely different design and is now much closer to our current GT4 racing applications,” explains KW Brand Manager Florian Johann. “A single glance at the suspension reveals that.” The MacPherson front axle struts are equipped with KW Single Tube racing dampers, which are rotated 180 degrees and sit in a plain bearing cartridge.
The damper forces are generated via the two-stage rebound valve on the working piston and the two-stage compression valve in the piggypack. The gas pressure volume in this tank can also be further adjusted; it is much smaller than in conventional monotube dampers. “Since the damper is upside down, the jargon Upside-Down has become established in our industry,” continues Florian Johann. “The low-speed rebound valve can be adjusted with 16 clicks at the purple adjustment wheel, and a steel flex line connects the low-speed compression valve in the reservoir.” The high-speed valves cannot be adjusted further on the V3 Clubsport. They only open from a predefined increase in force, such as when curbs are clipped with the Honda Civic Type R on track days or when driving over poor road sections or expansion joints. The suspension manufacturer also uses a similar multi-valve technology in KW Street Performance suspensions. However, the entire Clubsport coilover suspension is engineered to be stiffer, incorporating modifications in both the valve spring design and the racing springs and other components. Florian Johann explains, “With our Street Performance applications, such as the KW V3 coilover suspension, we always aim for a setup as firm as necessary while maintaining maximum comfort.”
In contrast, the KW V3 Clubsport coilover suspension is specifically tailored to optimize lap times on racetracks when paired with semi-slick tires. “Our focus is ensuring that the Honda Civic Type R remains safe and manageable, even when pushed to its limits on dynamic tracks like the Nürburgring Nordschleife.” Similar to the KW V3 coilover suspension, the KW V3 Clubsport coilover suspension offers a continuous lowering capability of ten to 30 millimeters within the scope of the TÜV certificate. The pictures depict the BBS CI-R Unlimited wheels in two finishes: platinum silver and black. The silver wheels feature red accents, including a rim protector, titanium screws, valve caps, and 3D rotating center caps. Both finishes are mounted in 10×19 inch with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires measuring 265/30R19. More at www.kwsuspensions.net
