thyssenkrupp BILSTEIN systematically expands service for car manufacturers and racing teams

New location with 7-post vertical dynamics test bench directly at the Nürburgring: holistic suspension development at the highest level

Our suspension specialist thyssenkrupp BILSTEIN continues to systematically expand its service for car manufacturers, racing teams and tuning companies. In Meuspath, right next to the Nürburgring, the damper and suspension specialist is opening a new site with a brand new vertical dynamics test stand. It's not just the development of our own premium products that should benefit from this. Customers and partners in particular will then be able to draw on state-of-the-art technology and advice from BILSTEIN for their suspension analysis and development: The new BILSTEIN 7-post-rig, the only one directly at the Nürburgring, will allow any race track to be driven in one place. The central location at the Nürburgring means unbeatable cost and time savings for our customers and partners.

Only 7-post vertical dynamics test stand at the Nürburgring

The location in the industrial park was not chosen by coincidence. After all, this is where the heart of performance development in the automotive industry beats: Not only do all the leading car manufacturers and tuning companies test on the Nürburgring's Nordschleife. Many automobile manufacturers also operate their own test centers in the industrial park directly on the Döttinger Höhe, and numerous international racing teams are based here. "Our credo has always been to be where we can support our partners. A test bench somewhere in the provinces was never an option for us," says Dr. Peter Klaus Kirner, CEO at thyssenkrupp BILSTEIN. "That's why it was clear to us early on that there could only be one location for our 7-post vertical dynamics test bench: In the heart of motorsport - directly at the Nürburgring!"

Technological possibilities unique in Europe

The Ennepetal-based company is bringing Formula 1 technology in the field of suspension development to the Nürburgring for the first time. The new BILSTEIN 7-post vertical dynamics test rig is one of the most advanced in the whole of Europe. The "7-poster" can be used to investigate the body behaviour of a very wide range of vehicles: Here, four hydraulic rams simulate road excitations in the vertical direction. Acceleration sensors and spring travel transducers on each wheel and on the chassis then measure the vehicle and wheel movements generated by the excitations of the hydraulic rams. In this way, an optimum spring-damper design can be determined. The three additional hydraulic stamps make it possible to take an even closer look at the complex vehicle dynamics - and can even simulate the influences of aerodynamics on the suspension: They simulate not only downforce but also pitch and roll movements of the body.

The new BILSTEIN 7-post rig can also be used to simulate complete racetracks, enabling race teams to test track-specific setups. Even driving behavior on individual track sectors can be examined. The benefits are obvious: racing teams and manufacturers gain a precise and complete understanding of the suspension in the shortest possible time and can work together to investigate and optimize handling at specific parameters and develop the optimum settings.

You also benefit from enormous time savings with less wear and tear on the expensive mechanics and overall reduced costs. In addition, the location directly at the Nürburgring results in significantly lower logistics costs and the advantage of repeat accuracy, which is not available on the race track.

The all-round, worry-free service also includes holistic, highly professional support and analysis. Martin Malinowski will be responsible for operating the BILSTEIN 7-post rig. The engineer has already been intensively involved with vertical dynamics test rigs for around 15 years. "There are few engineers who have more experience with 7-post rigs than Martin," enthuses Martin Flick, Head Of Motorsport at thyssenkrupp BILSTEIN. Among other things, the 41-year-old worked for various 7-post vertical dynamics test rig operators for many years and was jointly responsible for five world championship titles for the Formula 1 team in a similar role as Test & Development Engineer at Mercedes-AMG-Petronas.

New development level for holistic suspension tuning

"Particularly in OE series development, suspension requirements are becoming increasingly demanding and complex," reveals Carsten Obst, Vice President Sales OEM at BILSTEIN. "With our new location at the Nürburgring, state-of-the-art equipment and over 60 years of experience in the field of damper and suspension development, we can provide our partners and customers with even more targeted support."

Thanks to the perfect symbiosis of experience, technology and the wide range of testing options on the road, race track and test bench, our suspension experts guarantee a new level of development for holistic suspension tuning.

Even more performance in the aftermarket

"And the development and enhancement of our aftermarket products will also benefit from the completely new possibilities," enthuses Christoph Henkel, Head of Sales, Product Management & Marketing - Aftermarket Business at thyssenkrupp BILSTEIN. "Traditionally, we don't just want to meet our customers' high expectations. We want to constantly exceed them - whether in the area of series replacement or in the performance aftermarket. Our new test bench therefore offers us another opportunity to realize the perfect driving experience for every product, complementing our unique road test."

On July 13, 2021, the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony will take place at the new building that has already begun -directly on the traffic circle in the center of the industrial park at the Nürburgring. There is no way around BILSTEIN.