Featuring stylish wheels and a cool stance, the VW Golf 8 exudes an impressive aesthetic. As the count of Golf 8 lease returns, which have been on the market since 2019, keeps rising, we are thrilled to announce the addition of a coilover suspension from our brand, ap Sportfahrwerke, to our product range.
ap Sportfahrwerke made by KW, you say? Well, this has actually been the situation for quite some time now. In fact, ap Sportfahrwerke was acquired by the KW automotive Group in mid-2019, and since then, ap coilover suspensions have also been produced in Fichtenberg.
The ap coilover suspension kits are appealing to those who seek a coilover suspension made in Germany and wish to have improved handling and stance without any sacrifice in terms of performance and quality.
All those who opt for an ap coilover suspension kit for their VW Golf 8 will receive a custom-made suspension from the KW automotive Group.
Is there a difference between the ap coilover suspension kit and the KW V1 or ST X coilover suspension kit?
Of course, there is a difference between the KW coilover kits and ap coilover kits, and this is not just “marketing talk.” The most obvious difference is that at KW, we manufacture the struts from stainless steel, whereas ST suspensions and ap Sportfahrwerke do not.
However, when it comes to the struts, ap Sportfahrwerke chooses galvanized untreated steel (aka black steel) alloys. In instances where, as seen in vehicles like the VW Golf 8, multi-link rear axles are used without struts due to design limitations, the steel housing of the rear damper is also coated with black powder.
Quality is certainly not compromised in any way, as we use the same black steel alloys (untreated steel) in our brand ST suspensions and in selected KW coilover suspension kits as in ap Sportfahrwerke.
One more distinction between the ap coilover suspension kit for the VW Golf 8 and a KW V1 coilover suspension kit lies in the way we manufacture the shock absorber internals.
In other words, at KW, we manufacture the damper valves for compression and rebound, process the piston rod blanks, and the cylinder inner tubes on a just-in-time basis at our KW headquarters in Fichtenberg.
For the ap and ST X coilover suspension kits, similar to the KW V1 coilover suspension kits, no adjustable compression and rebound valves are used. However, the difference is that for ap and ST X, our colleagues from Spain supply the damper cartridges.
This is how we manufacture the damper cartridges at KW Damping Technologies, S.A. in Abdiano, at the former AL-KO plant. Some time ago, as part of the KW automotive Group, we acquired the damping division of AL-KO, primarily for the industrial production of suspension components for both light and heavy commercial vehicles. For instance, all London taxis are equipped with our dampers as they traverse the city.
The ap coilover suspension kit differs slightly from the ST X in terms of damper design and the use of aluminum spring perches.
The ap coilover suspension for the Golf 8 is available for all front-wheel drive models, including GTE, GTI, and GTI Clubsport
For those seeking the best compromise between budget, lowering, and ride comfort when it comes to suspension, the ap coilover suspension kit is a no-brainer. For many, the suspension is a recommended purchase for the Golf 8, as it not only gives the car a nice drop but also enhances the driving experience.
The parts approval for the ap coilover suspension includes a continuous adjustable lowering range of 35 to 60 millimeters for both the front and rear axles. If you’re driving with this configuration and have the coilover suspension correctly registered, you won’t run into any encounters with the friendly neighborhood police officer.
Featuring a chic wheel and tire setup that maintains a sufficient tire profile, even with a maximum lowering of 60 millimeters, the Golf 8 offers an exceptionally responsive ride. The ap coilover suspension guarantees the Golf’s stability, even when encountering minor road imperfections.
For those who may be concerned that an ap coilover suspension kit is too firm, you can rest assured. While it may not be as comfortable as, for example, a KW V3 coilover suspension kit, which is due to the KW damper valves, the significant advantage is that the ap coilover suspension kit still maintains a substantial amount of ride comfort reserves thanks to its damper design and progressive spring rates.
Many of our ap customers mention in forums and on social media that our ap coilover suspension kit features better ride comfort than a VW Golf 8 GTI with a set of lowering springs.
For further information, please visit www.ap-sportsuspension.com