With Christmas just around the corner, KYB is helping distributors and workshops to get into the festive spirit by giving them the chance to win fantastic prizes in a 12 Days of Christmas competition!
From December 13th, they can visit www.kyb-europe.com/christmas every day to be in with a chance of winning! From a FitBit to Apple AirPods, there is a wide range of prizes on offer for those who either sell or fit KYB products. They can click on the date and enter their details to be in with a chance of winning the prize for that day. They must check back every day to see what else is available to win!
Toyota chooses KYB for hydrogen Mirai
The new, redesigned Toyota Mirai, a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCEV), is using KYB shock absorbers as original equipment.
The first-generation Mirai was launched in 2014. FCEVs run on hydrogen and offer long cruise ranges (up to 502km for the Mirai) and short refuelling time with zero emissions. Toyota began fuel cell development in Japan in the early 1990s and has developed a series of fuel cell vehicles, subjecting them to more than 1,600,000 km of road testing.
It has high-mounted multi-link suspension at the front and low mounted multi-link suspension at the rear and also has high stiffness at the front and rear to counter lateral acceleration in corners. The vehicle is equipped with new
KYB shock absorbers at the front and rear.
Despite the high cost of hydrogen vehicles, Toyota had sales of over 10,000 of the original Mirai and they aim to increase that to 30,000 for the new model. Toyota has reduced the cost of the fuel cell system by 95%, compared to its predecessor, by making its components smaller, lighter, more efficient, and cheaper to produce in volume.
Toyota chooses KYB for hydrogen powered Mirai
The new redesigned Toyota Mirai, a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCEV), is using KYB shock absorbers as original equipment.
The first-generation Mirai was launched in 2014. FCEVs run on hydrogen and are the ultimate eco-car as they offer long cruise ranges (up to 502km for the Mirai) and short refuelling time with zero emissions. Toyota began fuel cell development in Japan in the early 1990s and has developed a series of fuel cell vehicles, subjecting them to more than 1,600,000 km of road testing.
To achieve light and clean steering, a suitable vehicle posture when cornering and a high-quality, comfortable ride, a new suspension system is being used. It has high-mounted multi-link suspension at the front and low mounted multi-link suspension at the rear. It also has high stiffness at the front and rear to counter lateral acceleration in corners. Driving performance is both responsive and stable. The vehicle is equipped with new KYB shock absorbers at the front and rear to deliver excellent steering response and a higher level of ride comfort and sophistication with immediate response to initial movement.
Despite the high cost of hydrogen vehicles, Toyota had sales of over 10,000 of the original Mirai and they aim to increase that to 30,000 for the new model. Toyota has reduced the cost of the fuel cell system by 95%, compared to its predecessor, by making its components smaller, lighter, more efficient, and cheaper to produce in volume.
Jordan Day, KYB Europe Marketing Manager comments “with the EU having a target for 30 million zero emission cars by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050, KYB is committed to working with vehicle manufacturers to provide world class suspension for their green vehicle developments”.
KYB Corporation is now mass producing the KYB Actimatic Damper System (KADS) – an electronically controlled semi active suspension system for motorcycles, which integrates control technology and hydraulic technology.
It introduces an original concept by KYB of the ‘Ground-Hook’ which provides the rider with the sensation of being grounded to the road – a feeling of security, just like a tyre. This assists the driver’s skill and contributes to ultimate stability and control.
KADS will be installed on the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT motorcycle, delivering both a sporty performance and a comfortable ride. The fully adjustable front and rear electronic suspension is managed by the six-axis Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and Engine Control Unit (ECU). The Suspension Control Unit (SCU) calculates the optimum settings for suspension damping. Damping settings are instantaneously adjusted via a solenoid to achieve a smooth and secure ride, regardless of load or riding conditions. The mode is set via the TFT interface.
KADS Unit
This suspension system generates steady damping force even when the suspension piston is moving slower, which contributes to stabilising the motorcycle’s attitude when starting from a stop as well as stabilising the chassis attitude when accelerating, braking and cornering. The electronically controlled system controls the rebound and compression damping for the front fork and rebound damping for the rear shock. This highly advanced suspension generates a much wider range of damping force than conventional suspension and can respond instantly to varying riding conditions to achieve optimum handling performance.
KYB Team JC Crowned World Rallycross Champions 2020
Swedish team KYB Team JC, running in their first ever FIA World Rallycross Championship, has been crowned as the 2020 World RX Teams’ Champion, by a margin of 16 points over its nearest rival. Swedish driver Mattias Ekström meanwhile secured second in the World RX Drivers’ standings, with team mate Robin Larsson in sixth place.
After a unique season comprising eight rounds in four different countries, the cancellation of the ninth and final round (set to be run at the Nurburgring in Germany), has been officially announced. Therefore, having dominated the World Championship Teams’ points from the first round, KYB Team JC has been confirmed as the World Champions.
Two drivers represented KYB Team JC on track: Former World RX Champion Mattias Ekström and reigning Euro RX and RallyX Nordic Champion Robin Larsson. The team’s highlights in 2020 have included winning the second round of the season at Höljes (Sweden), as well as a double podium in Riga (Latvia). Ekström scored two wins during the year and three second places to finish second in the World RX Drivers’ Championship, an incredible result given he was a last minute replacement for Janis Baumanis, unfortunately dropping out due to budget constraints caused by Covid19. Larsson raced in typically impressive style throughout the season, qualifying for the final on four occasions and finishing in second place in Latvia. He finished sixth overall in the Drivers’ Championship.
“I think it went better than expected to complete the season despite Coronavirus”, states Ekström. “A year ago I said that the chance was zero that I would return to rallycross, but I had to jump in and it was full push again. We had a little trouble with some things, but that’s also part of the rules of the game. It’s fun that there are sponsors and companies who are willing to invest even in tougher times, especially since a lot of things have been quite last minute. I am also very proud to see how KYB has developed shock absorbers that can win the World Championship.”
All of the team here at KYB Europe extend our congratulations to all of the crew at KYB Team JC, battling the toughest line up of drivers in years and the toughest set of conditions and restrictions ever seen. Special congratulations also to EKS, the constructors of the Audi S1s and our partners in developing World Championship wining dampers – and the KYB motorsport engineers based in Japan.
KYB works on next generation, modular EV platform
KYB Corporation has launched a strategic partnership with Israeli company EE Automotive (REE), who approached KYB to develop suspension capabilities for their future electric vehicle platforms.
KYB’s semi-active and active suspension systems will provide design freedom and cost-effective, scalable solutions for e-mobility. REE is working towards putting the suspension and also the braking system, steering and e-motor all together inside the wheel arch. KYB’s involvement in the project is the ‘in wheel’ suspension. This is called the REEcorner™ – each corner being completely independent and powered by the state of the art the REEboard™ ECU, controlling advanced x-by-wire technology. The technology allows for extreme modularity as each corner can be tailored to any vehicle requirements.
The REEboard™ is a completely flat, scalable and modular platform. As there is no need to design a new platform for each vehicle type, this saves major costs and time. It provides more volume on a smaller footprint, to carry more batteries within the chassis.
This partnership is the first time that KYB has collaborated on EV platforms with a technology company. Kazunori Masumoto, General Manager of Engineering Headquarters at KYB Automotive Component Business Division, explains: “KYB has vast experience in developing and manufacturing advanced suspension systems, and we are excited to partner with REE Automotive and share its revolutionary EV vision by engineering a suspension subsystem that supports the needs of tomorrow’s mobility ecosystem” .
KYB has updated its Suspension Solutions mobile App and now provides detailed, part specific technical advice for suspension jobs, free of charge. The technician can either enter the car make and model, the VIN number, or the registration number to see the KYB part numbers required and a detailed technical bulletin for each job. This includes an illustrated step-by-step guide to fit the part, as well as the tools required (and relevant torque settings), and an estimate for the time needed to complete it. If there is a KYB fitting video available for the reference, this will also be provided.
“We felt this feature was the next step for the KYB App”, explains Jordan Day, Marketing Manager for KYB Europe Aftermarket, “the App now helps with all the main stages of replacing suspension – helping to find the part number and fitting the product, helping the technician with proposing a suspension job to a motorist, and also following up the job.”The KYB App has currently been downloaded over 7,000 times across Europe. One feature allows the technician to suggest suspension work to a customer – the technician assesses the vehicle and inputs the ‘symptoms’ into the App, attaching a picture if required. The App then takes this information and creates a specific vehicle report, which is text to the customer, all for free. This report contains a button to “Call the workshop” – on average, this button is clicked by the motorist 1 in 4 times. Another feature allows the technician to take before and after photos, which can be added to a vehicle report that is text for free to the customer. The report explains the work that has been done and the benefit this will have on the vehicle and shows them the pictures of the old and newly fitted components.
The KYB Suspension Solutions App is free to download and free to use, available in 20 European languages and fully customisable, so all reports sent out feature your workshop’s name, contact number and logo. For those who have already downloaded the App, simply update the App as normal to add the new fitting instruction feature. The App can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play.
Success for KYB sponsor – Team JAOS!
The 2019 Asia Cross Country Rally took place between 10th and 16th August, starting in Pattaya, Thailand, and finishing 2,200km later in the capital of Myanmar. Team JAOS (Japanese Offroad Service) finished in 1st place in their T1G class and 7th overall.
JAOS is sponsored by KYB and their Toyota Double Cab Hilux Revo is fitted with specialist KYB shock absorbers, developed and maintained by a team of KYB engineers present every step of the way. They finished each leg of the race in 1st place in their class, with their best finish coming in the final leg, where they finished an incredible 4th overall with a total race finish time of 11:31:17.
KYB Europe Aftermarket has launched a new website, dedicated to it’s motorsport activities: www.kybsport.com
KYB sponsors a number of teams in a variety of motorsports around the world. This website brings those together in one place to present each team’s progress through the year. The sponsorships cover events, from World Rallycross to endurance races such as the Asia Cross Country Rally and Super GT.
KYB Corporation has a team of dedicated motorsport engineers with a huge amount of experience in developing highly specialised products for use in racing. KYB Electronic Power Steering (EPS) systems are widely used in motorsports and particularly in endurance races such as the Le Mans 24 hour race, and KYB suspension components are also trusted by a number of motorsport teams across a number of varied racing disciplines.
Teams featured on the KYB Sport website include APR Racing, EKS, Toyota Gazoo Racing, Goodsmile Racing, Team JAOS and Monster Energy RX Cartel. The website also features up to date news and blogs on the motorsport activities connected to KYB. “The new website is a great place for KYB to show off its high performance engineering” says Jordan Day, Marketing Manager KYB Europe, “ we want a place to show introduce our European customers the great teams we sponsor around the globe, as well as providing information on the KYB brand to the fans of these teams around the world.”
Mobile app justifies repairs to customers
The KYB Suspension Solutions App helps workshops explain to customers why their shock absorbers need replacing and can be easily customised with your garage details. It is available as a free download from the App store and Google Play.
A text message is sent to the customer explaining any worn or damaged components in their vehicle’s suspension. It also links to video clips which explain the dangers and risks associated with worn shock absorbers, coil springs, mounting and protection components. The app can be used to show the completed repair, with a before and after photo of the work carried out.
The app was designed to help workshops raise their profile and increase sales by educating customers on the role suspension components play. Marketing Manager Jordan Day says there are currently over 700 users of the app in the UK, he states: “So far we have had over 2,000 vehicle inspection reports sent out, with just over 400 calls made from the vehicle report back to the garage, by the car driver using the click to call feature. This is a rate of 1 in 5 people immediately calling the garage back – a number that will in real life be bigger, when taking into account those that read the report and then call the mechanic back by calling them from their contacts.”
KYB welcomes any feedback on suggested improvements and new features.
The supplier also introduced a 360 safety video back in November to enable workshops to show customers the difference in handling with new and defective shocks. We have several KYB VR headsets available for garages wishing to try this out, email nicola@autotechnician.co.uk if you’d like a pair.
Autotechnician reader Anthony Pickering gave them a go: “I used the 3D headset and the KYB YouTube video did highlight the importance of replacing shocks. The video in 3D with full panoramic view was good once I got to grips with it. This could be the future of information videos, and possibly training videos.”
Read more: KYB discusses the development of the double hydraulic stops system, used on the 2017 Citroën C5 Aircross on www.autotechnician.co.uk.
