Following award wins, rave reviews and ambition to support both workshops and motor factors, KYB is proud to share details of a new product launch.
In 2017, Citroën launched the C5 Aircross, manufactured with KYB as the original equipment (OE) supplier for shock absorbers. With active suspension systems becoming increasingly popular in passenger cars and semi-active solutions becoming present in more segments than ever before, this collaboration between KYB and PSA introduced a new suspension concept: a passive shock absorber capable of reaching the “high performance of semiactive systems but at a significantly more competitive cost”.
Following a nomination for the 2019 European Car of the Year Award and winning the 2019 CarWow Comfort Award, KYB was awarded a supplier excellence award from PSA following this successful development.
The technology, named ‘Progressive Hydraulic Cushions’ by Citroën, provides a comfort level described as a “flying carpet effect”. Until now, the system has only been fitted to brand new vehicles; however, KYB Europe has made it available as an aftermarket part (3348095 available immediately, while 3448033 is in preparation and stock should be available in the next few months).
KYB said it is the only company to offer these parts to the aftermarket, and, currently, there are more than 150,000 C5 Aircross’ on European roads equipped with double hydraulic stops.
KYB Europe Aftermarket Marketing Manager, Jordan Day, said: “Having this technology available to the aftermarket is an exciting addition to our existing range and will allow motorists to continue to enjoy the award-winning comfort these shock absorbers offer. It’s another great example of how KYB is at the forefront of OE suspension research and development.”
How does it work?
The secret of this concept is a double hydraulic stops system – with a stop positioned at each end of the piston rod. The total stroke of the shock absorber can be divided into three differentiated parts, for which the shock absorber will provide different characteristics.
The first part corresponds to the position around the centre of the stroke. In this area, the system will act like a conventional shock absorber, with the valving towards the centre of the piston and the base valve providing the damping force.
The second and third part corresponds to the positions closest to the end of the rebound and compression strokes, with the hydraulic compression and rebound stops working together to provide additional energy absorption. When the piston rod compresses, the stop at the bottom of the internal cylinder is also compressed, laminating it in oil and dissipating the energy in the form of heat, gradually slowing the movement of the piston rod without returning it.
This split allows the shock absorber’s main valves to focus on comfort, and the two hydraulic stops to take responsibility when more demanding situations are encountered, such as road bumps and potholes, thus increasing both comfort and handling performance.
KYB said the patented technology makes the car feel like “it’s flying over bumps and holes in the road”.
