KW Automotive
KW Automotive is a German automotive technology group best known for aftermarket, motorsport, and original-equipment suspension systems.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
KW Automotive GmbH is a German automotive technology company headquartered in Fichtenberg, Baden-Württemberg. It primarily develops and manufactures suspension systems for passenger cars, performance vehicles, specialist applications, and motorsport. The group operates through a portfolio of automotive and racing-related businesses covering suspension, damping, wheels, chassis components, vehicle accessories, simulation, and racing software. The company began in 1992 as KW Tuning, founded by Klaus Wohlfarth. Its initial business was the retail sale and distribution of car parts from a small 75-square-metre premises in Murrhardt. In 1995, Klaus Wohlfarth and his brother Jürgen Wohlfarth introduced the company's first coilover suspension system. The product received TÜV approval and was presented at the Essen Motor Show, helping establish KW as a specialist suspension supplier rather than a general tuning retailer. In 1996, the company concentrated fully on suspension products, adopted the name KW Coilover Suspensions, and moved into a larger facility. It relocated to a 1,000-square-metre site in Fichtenberg and became KW automotive GmbH in 1998. KW's principal business is the design and production of adjustable suspension and damping systems. Its KW suspensions brand serves several customer groups: enthusiasts seeking ride-height and handling adjustments, professional and amateur racing teams, vehicle manufacturers requiring engineered performance systems, and specialist builders working on high-performance or limited-production vehicles. Its product portfolio includes coilovers, dampers, springs, chassis components, steering dampers, hydraulic lift systems, electronic damping-control systems, and systems for vehicles equipped with factory air suspension. The company states that its aftermarket catalogue covers more than 26,000 individual vehicle applications. The business has also developed technologies intended to integrate aftermarket performance hardware with modern electronic vehicle systems. These include Dynamic Level Control for factory air suspension, Dynamic Damping Control plug-and-play systems for selected semi-active suspensions, hydraulic lift systems, and solid-piston damper technology. KW uses internal development and testing capabilities, including an advanced seven-post drive-dynamics test stand, to validate suspension performance for road and competition applications. KW has supplied or developed suspension systems for a range of high-performance original-equipment and special-model vehicles. Examples cited in reference material include several Mercedes-AMG Black Series models, the Mercedes-Benz G 500 4x4², the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR-X, the BMW M4 GTS, and the John Cooper Works Pro Suspension kit offered by Mini. The company also participates in motorsport through KW Competition and has supplied or homologated dampers for GT, touring-car, endurance, and other racing categories. Beyond its core KW suspensions brand, the group has expanded through affiliated and subsidiary businesses. These include BBS Automotive, ST Suspensions, Reiger Suspension, Belltech, ap Sportfahrwerke, AL-KO Automotive, TrackTime, Ascher Racing, and RaceRoom, including the associated game-development business KW Studios. This gives KW Automotive exposure to both physical vehicle hardware and digital motorsport simulation. The company maintains international operations and subsidiaries or affiliated locations in Europe, North America, China, Taiwan, and Japan. Its activities include engineering, manufacturing, distribution, motorsport support, and technology partnerships. In 2013, KW worked with Polyphony Digital on vehicle-dynamics physics and engineering for Gran Turismo 6. From 2023, it was identified as an official technology partner of Brabus and a technical partner of Lamborghini Squadra Corse; the Lamborghini SC63 was cited as using KW shock absorbers in 2024. KW Automotive remains an active privately held automotive technology group with a market position centered on performance suspension, motorsport engineering, and specialist vehicle dynamics.
History
KW Automotive was founded in 1992 by Klaus Wohlfarth under the name KW Tuning. The business initially operated as a small retail and distribution operation, selling car parts from a 75-square-metre premises in Murrhardt, Germany. Its later identity was shaped by a move into suspension engineering. In 1995, Klaus Wohlfarth and his brother Jürgen Wohlfarth introduced the company's first coilover suspension system. The system received TÜV approval and was displayed at the Essen Motor Show, providing an early demonstration of the company's focus on engineered, adjustable vehicle suspension. In 1996, the company abandoned its broader tuning orientation and concentrated on suspension products. It adopted the name KW Coilover Suspensions and moved into a 150-square-metre facility. Continued growth led to a move to a 1,000-square-metre site in Fichtenberg. In 1998, the business was renamed KW automotive GmbH, establishing the corporate identity used for its later expansion. KW briefly diversified into wheels through KW Wheels, which produced alloy wheels for road use from 1997 to 2001. The company later expanded its vehicle-accessory activities, launching Lambo Style Doors, commonly known as LSD, in 2003. In 2006, KW registered its distinctive yellow-and-purple color combination as an official trademark across Europe. The company's main development trajectory remained focused on sophisticated suspension systems. In 2012, it introduced Dynamic Level Control, described as an aftermarket control system for factory air suspension. In 2013, KW partnered with Polyphony Digital on the physics engine and vehicle-dynamics engineering for Gran Turismo 6, extending its technical profile into digital vehicle simulation. In 2019, it developed and launched solid-piston damper technology. KW suspensions became the group's central performance brand, supplying aftermarket, motorsport, and original-equipment applications. Its range grew to include coilovers, dampers, height-adjustable springs, steering dampers, chassis components, hydraulic lift systems, and electronic damping-control products. The company developed systems for selected Mercedes-AMG Black Series models, the Mercedes-Benz G 500 4x4², the Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR-X, the BMW M4 GTS, and Mini's John Cooper Works Pro Suspension kit. Its technology was also associated with concept and specialist vehicles such as the Audi TT Clubsport Turbo Concept. Motorsport became a major part of KW's identity. KW Competition systems have been used across GT racing, touring cars, endurance events, drift competitions, and national racing series. The company has worked with manufacturers and racing organizations including BMW Motorsport, Manthey Racing, Falken Motorsport, Alpina, Teichmann Racing, Red Bull, Team 75 Bernhard, and Rowe Racing. The reference material identifies KW dampers on or homologated for cars such as the Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo and GT4 Evo, BMW M4 GT3 and GT4, Lamborghini SC63, Mercedes-AMG GT4, Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, Porsche 911 GT3 R, and Toyota GR Supra GT4. The broader KW Automotive group expanded beyond the original suspension brand. Its portfolio includes BBS Automotive, ST Suspensions, Reiger Suspension, Belltech, ap Sportfahrwerke, AL-KO Automotive, TrackTime, Ascher Racing, and RaceRoom, including the game developer KW Studios. The group consequently combines suspension and damping engineering with wheels, chassis products, motorsport services, simulator hardware, and racing software. KW's principal headquarters, production site, and research and development operations are in Fichtenberg. The group has international subsidiaries or operating locations in the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Taiwan, and Japan. In 2023, KW was identified as an official technology partner of Brabus and a technical partner of Lamborghini Squadra Corse. The Lamborghini SC63 was cited as running KW shock absorbers in 2024. The company remains active as a privately held international automotive technology group.
- 2023
Brabus and Lamborghini Squadra Corse partnerships
[1]KW was identified as an official Brabus technology partner and a technical partner of Lamborghini Squadra Corse.
- 2019
Solid-piston technology launched
[1]KW introduced a damper technology based on a solid-piston design.
- 2013
Gran Turismo 6 technical partnership
[1]KW partnered with Polyphony Digital on vehicle-dynamics physics and engineering for Gran Turismo 6.
- 2012
Dynamic Level Control introduced
[1]KW launched Dynamic Level Control for aftermarket management of factory air-suspension systems.
- 2003
Launch of Lambo Style Doors
[1]KW entered the aftermarket door-conversion sector with its Lambo Style Doors product line.
- 1998
Renamed KW automotive GmbH
[1]After relocating to Fichtenberg, the company adopted the KW automotive GmbH name.
- 1996
Shift to suspension specialization
[1]The business adopted the KW Coilover Suspensions name and focused fully on suspension products.
- 1995
First KW coilover system
[1]Klaus and Jürgen Wohlfarth introduced the company's first coilover suspension system, which received TÜV approval and appeared at the Essen Motor Show.
- 1992
KW Tuning is founded
[1]Klaus Wohlfarth founded the business as KW Tuning, initially selling and distributing car parts from Murrhardt.
Products and positioning
A premium engineering-led supplier of adjustable suspension, damping, and vehicle-dynamics systems for aftermarket performance, motorsport, and original-equipment applications.
Aftermarket suspension · 1995
KW suspensions
KW suspensions is the group's principal performance-suspension brand. Its portfolio includes coilover systems, adjustable dampers, springs, chassis components, steering dampers, hydraulic lift systems, and electronic control products. The systems are designed for road cars, enthusiast vehicles, specialist builds, and selected original-equipment programs. The reference material describes more than 26,000 aftermarket vehicle applications, making the brand's breadth a central part of its market proposition.
Motorsport suspension
KW Competition
KW Competition provides racing dampers and suspension engineering for professional and amateur motorsport. Its applications span GT racing, touring cars, endurance racing, drifting, hill-climb competition, and national series. KW Competition products are designed around track-specific tuning, durability, adjustability, and vehicle homologation requirements, and have been associated with multiple manufacturer-backed and independent racing programs.
Air-suspension control system · 2012
Dynamic Level Control
Dynamic Level Control is an aftermarket control system for vehicles equipped with factory air suspension. It represents KW's move beyond passive hardware into electronic management of vehicle ride height and suspension behavior, allowing the company to address modern vehicles whose suspension functions are integrated with factory electronic systems.
Electronic damping-control system
Dynamic Damping Control
Dynamic Damping Control is a plug-and-play suspension-control approach intended for vehicles with factory semi-active damping. It enables KW suspension technology to work with electronically controlled vehicle platforms while preserving integration with the original vehicle architecture.
Hydraulic suspension lift system
Hydraulic Lift System
KW's Hydraulic Lift System provides additional temporary ride height for vehicles that need greater clearance over ramps, entrances, or other obstacles. It is positioned as a complementary technology for performance vehicles that combine low ride height with practical road use.
Automotive aftermarket accessory · 2003
Lambo Style Doors
Lambo Style Doors, also known as LSD, was KW Automotive's aftermarket scissor-door conversion product. The line represented a period of diversification beyond suspension into appearance and access-system modifications for road vehicles.
Brand decisions
2023
Expansion of high-performance technology partnershipsStrategyBackground
KW's business model includes supplying engineering and suspension expertise to specialist vehicle builders and motorsport organizations.
Action taken
KW became an official technology partner of Brabus and a technical partner of Lamborghini Squadra Corse.
Aftermath
The partnerships reinforced KW's presence in high-performance road-car customization and factory-level motorsport programs.
2013
Vehicle-dynamics partnership with Polyphony DigitalStrategyBackground
KW sought to apply its suspension and vehicle-dynamics expertise beyond physical products.
Action taken
The company partnered with Polyphony Digital on the physics engine and vehicle-dynamics engineering for Gran Turismo 6.
Aftermath
The partnership connected KW's engineering identity with a major driving simulation platform.
2012
Launch of Dynamic Level ControlProduct launchBackground
Modern performance vehicles increasingly used factory air-suspension systems that required electronic control and compatibility with original vehicle systems.
Action taken
KW introduced Dynamic Level Control as an aftermarket control system for factory air suspension.
Aftermath
The launch broadened KW's suspension offering from mechanical coilovers and dampers toward electronically managed chassis systems.
1996
Concentration on suspension systemsStrategyBackground
The company had begun as a general car-parts retailer and tuner, but its first coilover product gave it a more specialized engineering direction.
Action taken
KW shifted its business focus fully toward suspension and adopted the KW Coilover Suspensions name.
Aftermath
The decision established suspension as the company's core activity and preceded its later development into aftermarket, motorsport, and original-equipment engineering.
Recent events
KW automotive Group acquires AL-KO Damping Technology business unit[2]
Reported:
KW automotive Group completed its acquisition of the Damping Technology business unit from AL-KO Vehicle Technology Group. The unit has approximately 250 employees at two facilities in Spain and China.
Sources2 sources
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