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Suspension Travel and Motion Ratio: Explained

• Motorsport Tuning Guides

If you’re into motorsport or have a passion for cars, you’ve likely heard the term “suspension travel” before. But what does it actually mean, and how does it affect your car’s performance? In this article, we’ll delve into suspension travel and its relationship with motion ratio, which is crucial for a proper understanding of suspension setups.

Understanding Suspension Travel

Factors affecting suspension travel, suspension travel in different applications, compression vs. rebound travel, understanding motion ratio, the importance of wheel rate, q: what is suspension travel, q: how does suspension travel affect a car’s performance, q: what is motion ratio, q: what is wheel rate.

Simply put, suspension travel refers to how far a component of the suspension can move over the full extent of its movement range. In most cases, we’re interested in the vertical wheel travel, which is the distance that the wheel can travel from full droop to full compression. However, suspension travel can also refer to any other part of the suspension we might be interested in.

There are many factors that go into deciding how much suspension travel we need. Two of the most important and interrelated ones are the required stiffness of the suspension we’re working with and the roughness of the surface that the vehicle is running on. These factors will be discussed in detail later in the course.

The required suspension travel varies greatly depending on the application. For instance, a stadium truck running on rough terrain needs a large amount of vertical wheel travel to absorb the energy of a landing and reduce the forces involved. On the other hand, a high downforce single-seater running on a smooth surface requires less travel to keep things like camber, caster, and toe within suitable limits as the car negotiates the circuit.

Another important aspect of suspension travel is how much of the travel is available in compression versus rebound. A sensible starting point is to allow for approximately 2/3 of the available travel in compression and 1/3 in rebound. Having the majority of our suspension travel available on compression allows the suspension to absorb undulations in the road surface, while the rebound travel is there to keep the tires in contact with the road as the chassis heaves, rolls, and pitches.

Motion ratio is closely related to suspension travel and describes how much one component moves relative to the other when they’re linked together. We’re interested in the motion ratio between a number of different elements, but the most common is between the wheel and spring and damper assembly. In almost all cases, this ratio will not be 1:1, and the value of the motion ratio will generally vary as the suspension moves through its travel.

When comparing spring rates between different cars, it’s important to understand that the motion ratio between the wheel and the spring isn’t identical. We care about the effective spring rate at the wheel, which is generally referred to as the wheel rate. By using the motion ratio, we can calculate the wheel rate so we can make more relevant comparisons between cars with different suspension systems.

A: Suspension travel refers to how far a component of the suspension can move over the full extent of its movement range.

A: Suspension travel affects a car’s performance by absorbing energy, reducing forces, and keeping the tires in contact with the road.

A: Motion ratio describes how much one component moves relative to the other when they’re linked together.

A: Wheel rate is the effective spring rate at the wheel, which takes into account the motion ratio between the wheel and the spring.

In conclusion, suspension travel and motion ratio are crucial aspects of suspension design and tuning that can greatly affect a car’s performance. The required suspension travel varies depending on the application, and a proper understanding of motion ratio is necessary for comparing spring rates between different cars. By optimizing suspension travel and motion ratio, you can improve your car’s handling and performance on the road or track.

• Suspension Travel: What Is It and How Does It Affect Your Car’s Performance? – https://www.autosimple.com/suspension-travel-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-affect-your-cars-performance/
• The Importance of Motion Ratio in Suspension Design – https://www.nolimitmotorsport.com/blog/the-importance-of-motion-ratio-in-suspension-design/
• How to Calculate Wheel Rate: A Simple Guide for Racing Suspension – https://www.speedwaymotors.com/the-toolbox/how-to-calculate-wheel-rate/31488

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SUSPENSION 101: Everything You Wanted To Know About Vehicle Handling

Making your car handle well is a really complicated task if you overthink it. Ride frequencies, roll centers, camber curves, scrub radii; it’s enough to make you build show cars instead. So, I have an easy solution for you: ignore all of that stuff. Odds are that you can make your car handle better than most by knowing the following five things.

Text by Dave Coleman // Photos by DSPORT Staff

DSPORT Issue #148

Number One: Tires

What about treadwear rating? You might be thinking, “Isn’t a tire with a treadwear rating of 40 far grippier than one with a 400?” That’s probably true. The treadwear rating is a decent indicator of a tire’s performance capability, but don’t nitpick it. A 160 treadwear is not necessarily stickier than a 200. The more modern a tire design, the higher its treadwear rating can be while still being sticky. In fact, the Uniform Tire Quality Grade Standards (UTQG) treadwear rating is actually the minimum treadwear of that specific tire. It’s at the manufacturer’s discretion whether they want to classify a high performance tire as a “100” treadwear tire for marketing purposes even though it may offer enough tread life to be comparable to a “200” treadwear tire. Don’t waste your time comparing treadwear ratings between manufacturers, as every tire company hires its own independent testing company to conduct the tire tests. Unless any inconsistencies come up in the final data, the Department of Transporation doesn’t bother to regulate.

In the end, experience is the best tool for picking a tire. If you don’t have enough experience, use somebody else’s. See who is fast at the track and ask what tires they like, and why.

Number Two: Travel

Having enough suspension travel is almost as important as having good tires. Think about this when you’re fantasizing about how low you want your car to be. Some cars, like the old double-wishbone Civics, have so much travel that you can be in the weeds and still have plenty of travel. Others, like the MAZDASPEED3, can hardly be lowered at all before they start pounding the bump stops.

How much travel you need is determined partly by the terrain you’re driving on and partly by your suspension setup. Having stiffer springs means your suspension will move less, so you don’t need as much travel. The same is true if you have a lot of low-speed damping from your shocks. The next item might not be so obvious: you’ll need more travel and/or a stiffer suspension if you have really sticky tires. The reason is simple; more grip on the road means more body roll, which uses up more travel.

There are ways to maximize the amount of usable suspension travel range that involve adding more parts and making more changes to the entire system to balance out all the other dynamic factors. The simplest travel solution, though, is simply not to lower your car so much.

The red Miata shows excessive body roll with factory suspension. The blue Miata equipped with coilovers shows reduced body roll.

Article continued on page 2 >>>.

Race Suspension Tuning Basics, 7 Things You Need to Know

Speed is king, right? Kind of. It’s certainly impressive to see a car take a long corner at breakneck speed, but what’s more impressive is seeing a car keep that speed seemingly effortlessly into a sharp corner without the driver feeling like the car might spin out of control.

Enter suspension.

When you watch racing on TV, you’ll notice the multitude of engineers intently staring at data screens, logging information, and receiving driver feedback, all to optimize the vehicle setup on race weekend.

It can be overwhelming to think about as there are many components and settings you could adjust to level up your performance, but you’ve decided to focus on tuning your suspension; great choice! Making adjustments to your suspension can yield improvements in lap times and make your ride more comfortable.

Knowing where to start can be daunting. You might have the best suspension components, but they need to be set up to work together optimally to give you the best performance.

7 Things You Need to Know About Race Suspension Tuning

You can think of suspension tuning as the final piece of the puzzle when it comes to setting up your vehicle. When your suspension is firing on all cylinders, your tires will stay in contact with the road or track in any situation.

If your suspension is improperly tuned, it could lead to handling problems, lost seconds on the track, and you’ll always have the feeling that something isn’t quite right.

You’ll see a marked improvement in your vehicle from nailing the basics of suspension tuning. Finding the perfect balance between comfort and performance takes work, but it’s worth the effort.

What is the Goal Of Suspension Tuning?

The true goal of suspension tuning is to improve how the car handles; in other words, its ability to maintain a course through turns, braking, different surfaces, and weather conditions. To keep the right course, you’ll start by Increasing ground contact or tire grip as you travel through a corner.  

The Right Components

A suspension comprises tires, tire air, springs, and shocks that connect your vehicle to its wheels. It serves two purposes:

• Optimizing vehicle handling on the road
• Keeping your tires firmly planted on the ground

Manufacturers play a role here as they can provide parts optimized for your particular vehicle. Custom shocks and the ability to make adjustments with guided support are helpful when setting up your suspension.

Learn more about What Brand Of Racing Shocks Is Right For Me?

Get the Right Tools

You’ll need to test and retest, so it’s essential to record the changes you make - what works and what doesn’t. Knowing the baseline values of suspension means you’ll have a reference to work off of as you go. You’ll need:

• Tire pressure gauge
• Tire pyrometer
• Toe plates with tape measures
• Data system for lap times
• A notebook or binder to make notes

Having a notepad to store backup versions of your suspension settings will give you a whole season of logbook data. You’ll have a history of settings for various tracks and weather changes and the adjustments you make. You’ll also be able to return to your original settings just in case you want to start again.

Check out our FREE DOWNLOAD: Shock Build and Shock Setup/Lap Time Worksheet In this free download, we provide both our Standard Shock Build Sheet, which is a great way to keep all your shock builds organized, and a Setup/Lap Time Sheet, a great tool to help improve your communication and record keeping of your chassis setup.

Figure Out What you NEED to Adjust

You know your car the best, and the most critical metric is how it drives and feels on the road or track.

• Do you know your power to weight ratio?
• Does your car tend to oversteer on certain turns and understeer on others?
• What’s your balance and weight distribution?
• What are your tire specs?
• What are the track conditions?
• Camber? Elevation?

Once you’ve made incremental adjustments, you can test and either go backward or make further adjustments. The most critical metric is adjustments based on your own experience, and your relationship to the car will level up your performance.

Think Smart, Not Fast

You need to find a balance between handling, braking, and power. Setting up for speed doesn’t make your car the fastest if it’s at the expense of acceleration and handling or grip in corners. Find a sweet spot.

Another tip for working smart is to start with the complex parts of a suspension setup like spring rates and ride height and work towards the more straightforward stuff like tire pressure. If, when you’re testing, things aren’t going to plan, work the other way.

Weather Changes

Your setup will change as the weather changes, and this is where having a logbook of adjustments will come in handy. The weather could change between races, and you need to cope with wet/dry weather and cold/hot weather.

Circuit Changes

Let’s say you just raced a circuit with long, fast straights and long, shallow corners, but your next race is full of short straights and tight corner sections; you’re going to alter your setup. The same applies to smooth or bumpy tracks.

Suspension Setup

Here’s a brief overview of your suspension setup and the adjustments you could make.

Ride height

Before you adjust your suspension, are you happy with the height of your car? Your suspension geometry is designed around the ride height.

Essentially, a sway bar connects your right and left side compression. As you hit a bump, the right side compresses, but the left doesn’t, which causes lean. A sway bar connects the two so that they both compress and are adjustable.

Camber Angle

Camber is the angle applied to the tires, and it alters the tires’ contact patch with the road.

Positive camber will produce a tendency towards oversteer. The car might hop during heavy acceleration. In corners, the rear end might lack grip and slide out. Tire wear increases with uneven wear on the outside tread.

Negative camber increases grip and stability in corners but might increase understeer. It is more predictable, however. Most race cars tend to be either straight or negative.

0 degrees of toe means the front wheels are perfectly straight with the steering wheel straight. 

Toe in means the tires are closer together than at the back, and the car won’t turn as well, but it’s more stable at high speeds.

Toe out means the front tires are further away than the back, and the car will wander a bit more and turn a little better.

You can adjust the damping force when your shock tries to compress and when it rebounds.

You can also adjust the speed of compression and rebound.

Low speed affects braking, accelerating, and turning. These are all smooth loads on the suspension, and you can adjust the resistance to those movements and loads.

High speed comes into play when you hit a bump or a rock. Your shock compresses quickly, and you can adjust the resistance to make the shock stiffer or faster/smoother.

Low and high-speed rebound is also adjustable. After you brake, does the car come up slowly or quickly? Similarly, how fast does the shock rebound after hitting a rock or going over a bump?

Tire Pressure

How much air is in your tires? It’s essential to think about adjustments you need to make with tire pressure because it’s temperature-dependent. You might start with 25 psi, but after going around a track 30 times, you might have 35 psi - it’s essential to consider this.

How much brake pressure goes to the front and how much to the back? Different situations will determine how much you need to adjust.

Rough or Smooth?

Consider whether you’ll be on a rough or smooth track. Find out pre-race and make adjustments. 

For example, you’ll probably want lower ride height and stiffer spring rates for better handling on a track, but on a rough road, you want high compression so that your car rebounds quickly after compressing. Depending on your application and how much you race will determine the adjustments you need to make.

These are basics, and making the necessary adjustments will provide you with improved performances. It’s best to start at factory settings and work from there, one step at a time.

Once you’ve set up your suspension and made adjustments, you’ll want to delve into problems you might run into, such as oversteer or understeer.

Check out our  ON-DEMAND WEBINA R: Top 10 Most Common Suspension Issues & How to Resolve Them In this free webinar, we review the most common suspension issues you're likely to encounter and tips for how you can resolve or avoid them altogether.

Digging Deeper Into Race Suspension Tuning

You’ve researched the various ways to adjust your suspension; now it’s time to think about where you’re sourcing your parts from. You can’t cut corners when it comes to components such as shocks and springs, and you’ll need race-specific shocks that offer excellent handling but also maintain good ride quality.

Penske Racing Shocks are customized to your vehicle and driving style. Experienced support is key to optimizing your suspension setup. You can speak to professional racers on the phone who have seen it all and want to help.

To find out more about Penske Racing Shocks, get in touch with our shock specialists here.

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Race Car Suspension: The Ultimate Guide

Underneath the body of a car, there are three fundamental areas of importance. The chassis (which everything is bolted to), the powertrain (engine, gearbox, differential and driveshaft) and the suspension.

On the face of it, both road and race car suspension appears to be very similar in terms of what they do and what the systems consist of. However, there are some subtle differences which have a large impact on how race suspension performs.

What’s the difference between road and race suspension?

The suspension on a road car is designed primarily to support the body of the car, but also to provide a comfortable ride for the occupants. This means that the components used by the vehicle manufacturer tend to be softer in a bid to better cope with the road conditions for everyday driving.

In contrast, suspension for a race car is all about maximising performance, often resulting in a much stiffer ride.

The other main difference is that on a standard road car the suspension is fixed at a certain level, both damping on the shock absorbers and the anti-roll bar stiffness. But on racing suspension, there is often a greater flexibility in the amount of adjustment available which is due to the necessity of making the car suit the particular track or stage surface to better optimise performance.  

What does race suspension do?

The suspension on a competition car has the same basic function as a road car, which is to support the body of the vehicle. However, the requirements which are placed on race suspension systems and the individual components escalate much higher than that.

In essence, race suspension has two main roles. The first is to control the weight transfer of the car both laterally and longitudinally to improve cornering ability, while the second is to control the impacts from bumps or kerbs to maintain constant contact between the tyre and the road surface.

The end result of optimising both of these elements is an increase in grip which, ultimately, leads to better lap or stage times.

Unfortunately, finding the best performance is not just a case of a one size fits all, fit and forget racing suspension kit. There are various components that make up the suspension system on a car, and each of these have their own variables in terms of adjustment and stiffness.

The key to unlocking all this potential performance is to find the optimal combination of settings and components that best suits both the car and track conditions on the day.

How do I adjust the suspension?

The main items to look at changing are the dampers and race coil springs . This is where you will find the largest amount of available adjustment as well as the greatest potential for performance improvements in terms of the way the car drives and your lap times.

There are a couple of routes that you can go down when looking to upgrade these items, the first of which is to go for a vehicle specific suspension kit, also known as a coilover kit . These include both the dampers and springs with the specific fixings to suit your make and model of car. This is a great solution if you are converting a standard road car into a competition car as you can utilise the existing suspension mounting points and unlock various adjustment options to tune your suspension including ride height, bump and rebound. We’ll focus more on what this does and why it is important later on.

The other option is to fit a motorsport-specific damper and combine it with a set of race springs. This option requires a little more forward planning and calculation to get right because there are several different configurations available in both the damper and the spring.

Rather than the damper being supplied in the correct dimensions to directly replace an OE specification unit, there are various options to choose from including the body diameter, open-closed length as well as the mounting type.

These dampers don’t use the standard vehicle damper mounting points, either, and instead use a spherical bearing or polybush-style fitting. This means there may be some alterations required in the mounting points on your car. The universal nature of these dampers makes them ideal for use in bespoke car builds or replacing dampers on purpose-built race cars such as prototypes.

Both the body diameter and the open-closed length options are directly related to the type of spring that you use. Unlike the springs on a road car, race springs feature a linear diameter and are available in individual spring rates meaning that you will need to figure out what spring rate is best for your car. This can be a complicated process involving corner weights and suspension geometry but obtaining the correct spring rates is an important part of getting the most out of your car. (If you are unsure of where to start, have a chat with our technical sales team who will be able to provide you with some useful pointers to help make the process easier).

Away from the springs and dampers, other suspension components that can be changed and upgraded include the anti-roll bars, bushes, and top mounts as well as adding a strut brace.

How does it improve the handling?

So, there are many different parts of your car that you can look to change in a bid to improve the handling, but what benefits can you actually get from upgrading these components?

Damper changes

As mentioned earlier, you can change the ride height, bump and rebound with a set of motorsport dampers. In terms of the effect these changes can have on your car, reducing the ride height lowers the centre of gravity meaning that the effect of the weight transfer as the car transitions between corners, accelerating and braking is reduced.

The bump and rebound refer to changes to do with the stiffness of the damper and how it reacts to damper movements. The bump adjustment relates to how quickly the damper can be compressed, while rebound relates to how quickly the damper returns to the original position.

Having a high value for both bump and rebound will result in a very stiff damper which can cause the car to be very nervous and twitchy over bumps or kerbs due to not having any compliance to sudden impacts.

A soft damper setting will ensure that the car is not unsettled by bumps as much, but it will mean that the car is less responsive in the corners due to more of the weight being transferred but at a slower rate.

It is worth remembering that both bump and rebound can be tuned independently on most competition dampers. This means that you can have softer bump setting to help absorb the impacts from kerbs but run a stiffer rebound that allows the damper to return to its regular position much more quickly, allowing the tyre to maintain a more consistent contact with the road surface.

The optimum setting very much depends on the car and is often a compromise. However, once you have found the best setting for a given track or weather condition, it is not likely to work as well at a different track. So, you are always having to tune the suspension setup to get the most out of the car.

Anti-roll bars and braces

The anti-roll bars , also known as sway bars or ARB, have the job of reducing the body roll of the car. This helps to control the balance by reducing the amount of lateral weight transfer through the corners by using thicker tubing to increase rigidity.

Some anti-roll bars feature an element of adjustability by changing the length of the lever arms which can further improve the stiffness and adds another element of tuning capabilities in the search for the ideal chassis setup.

A strut brace is another good addition to help improve the handling of the car. These bars are mostly designed to attach to the top mounts of the front shock absorbers, but there are some applications which feature a lower strut brace for additional strengthening.

Having one of these braces installed reduces chassis flex and helps to maintain a greater consistency in the suspension geometry, making for a more consistent driving feel.

Not only do polyurethane bushes offer a greater strength over rubber bushes, they can also help to improve the responsiveness of the car.

Over time, standard rubber bushes start to deteriorate, causing some play and affecting the suspension geometry, resulting in poor car handling, braking instability and even (to some extent) increased tyre wear. As polyurethane bushes have a much-improved resistance to wear, they can retain their strength for longer periods of time, providing better handling for longer.

In conclusion

The suspension system on a car is not only a vital component, it also holds a lot of potential for improving performance. But upgrading your suspension for motorsport use can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be.

If you have any questions about what we have spoken about in this article, our technical sales team are on hand to assist you in finding the right suspension upgrade for you. You can either give them a call on 01978 664466 or send them an email on [email protected] .

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Here's Your Ultimate Guide on How to Set up a Race Suspension

There are a multitude of different adjustable inputs that go into a car's suspension setup. Here's how to make them work together to make you faster.

Luckily, the motorsport specialists at Team O'Neil Rally School up in New Hampshire put together a comprehensive video explaining every aspect of a car's suspension, what each part does, and how adjusting it can affect your car's performance.

Wyatt Knox of Team O'Neil goes over things like spring rates, ride height, shock compression, rebound, alignment, and tire pressure, making sure to explain how each piece of the puzzle fits in. He even explains how a rally setup would differ from a road racing one.

The video might be a bit lengthy, but we have a feeling you won't regret sticking around. And if you have an adjustable suspension, it's a must-watch.

Brian Silvestro is Hearst Autos' former lead deputy editor for rankings content. He spent over seven years as a staff writer for Road & Track Magazine where he contributed car reviews, industry interviews, and more. He has a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing.

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What is a sports suspension? The big overview and guide

Sport suspension refers to a suspension in which the combination of springs and shock absorbers is tuned more sportily than is usual for a standard suspension. This ensures better roadholding, especially in bends and when driving at high speed.

The most important points at a glance:

For whom the installation of a sports suspension is worthwhile

A comparison of the 3 types of sports suspensions.

• How expensive are sports suspensions?

Installation: How to install a sports suspension in your car

For which car makes and models are bilstein sports suspensions available, conclusion on sports suspension.

In general, sports suspensions are installed for two reasons: One wants to achieve a sportier driving performance and/or a lowering of the vehicle .

The standard suspensions of the various manufacturers are by no means bad or of inferior quality. On the contrary, many manufacturers have fitted BILSTEIN suspension systems and shock absorbers as standard.

But in order to meet the needs of the broad mass of motorists, ride comfort is the most important criterion for standard suspension systems. For most customers, a good and safe driving experience is more important than maximum lowering or the ability to take bends faster.

But how do you use your vehicle?

Do you not only use your car to go shopping and to work, but also want to be fast and sporty on the road at the weekend? Do you also use your private vehicle on race tracks like the Nürburgring or do you want to take full advantage of the beautiful serpentines of the Eifel? Is the appearance of your car important to you and do you even want to cut a good figure at tuning meetings?

If you answered yes to one or more of the above questions, the installation of a sports suspension makes perfect sense. However, if these advantages are not important to you, you will be more comfortable and probably cheaper with the standard equipment.

When it comes to sports suspensions, a basic distinction is made between the following suspension types: sports, coilover and air spring systems. But what are the differences?

Sport suspension without thread: The advantages and disadvantages

With normal sports suspensions, the combination of shock absorbers and springs is tuned to be more “sporty” than with standard suspensions.

Sports suspensions like the BILSTEIN B12 are made for dynamic drivers. Thanks to a moderate lowering, they offer secure roadholding, even when driving at speed over poor tarmac.

The ride comfort remains close to the standard suspension. This is also because the damping usually remains unchanged at a preset level – which ensures uncomplicated driving pleasure.

The disadvantage: In contrast to a coilover suspension, the preset damping is fixed and cannot be adjusted afterwards via a screw thread. This provides less flexibility and adjustment possibilities to the driver’s personal preferences. But it is definitely an upgrade over the standard suspension.

Performance coilover suspension

As the name suggests, a coilover suspension is a suspension with a screw thread. With this, the lowering can be adjusted individually. This is usually done by the driver or tuner and the thread is screwed to the desired height by hand. Tools or a workshop are not required for this.

By changing the hardness, as well as the rebound and compression damping, coilovers also allow flexible adaptation to the different conditions of the track and the vehicle.

You can find a detailed overview with all the advantages and disadvantages in our comprehensive coilover guide .

Air suspension

With air suspension, also called airride or air suspension, it is possible to continuously regulate the height of the car from inside the vehicle. The usual steel spring is replaced by an air bellows.

Due to their positive characteristics in terms of comfort and driving dynamics, air suspension systems have also been installed as standard in SUVs, saloons, convertibles and coupés in the luxury class for some years now.

In our article What is air suspension? The Airride air suspension module , we explain all the details of an air suspension and tell you what to look out for when installing it.

Retrofitting an air suspension is relatively expensive due to the many components and the associated complexity and is not realistic for most vehicles.

How expensive are sports suspensions? An overview of installation, registration and product costs

Since the prices of the various manufacturers vary greatly in some cases, it is not possible to make a clear statement about the exact costs. The costs can also vary from case to case due to installation by a specialist workshop or the respective vehicle model.

Nevertheless, we would like to try to show a rough classification and price range:

• Type of coilover suspension: Sports suspension kit with 4 shock absorbers for moderate lowering and dynamic, sporty handling (e.g. BILSTEIN B12 ). Average cost: approx. € 500-900
• Type of coilover: Workshop installation costs, approx. 2.5 working hours. Average costs: approx. € 150-250
• Type of coilover: Wheel alignment / wheel alignment Average costs: approx. € 35-70
• Type of coilover: Registration costs Average costs: approx. € 35-50

Please note: These are flat-rate costs that are realistic according to our experience. Depending on the individual case, vehicle and workshop, these prices may of course vary slightly.

With the BILSTEIN dealer and workshop search , you can find a suitable partner for the purchase and installation of your threaded ride height adjustable kit.

A sports suspension should always be installed by a professional. Theoretically, it is possible to replace the suspension on your own (assuming you have the necessary know-how), but installation by a specialist workshop or an experienced automotive mechatronics technician is always the safest option.

In addition to a warranty on the installation, as well as correct wheel alignment and registration, you can then be sure to fulfil all requirements according to TÜV guidelines and ABE (general operating permit).

We cannot and do not want to give step-by-step instructions for the installation of a complete suspension system at this point. That would go beyond the scope of this article. However, we can recommend this detailed installation video that goes into more detail on the various aspects of suspension installation.

Changing the suspension | Installing sports suspension BMW AUDI VW | DIY Tutorial (DE)

What you should pay attention to when installing: TÜV, ABE and parts certificates

The most common form of approval for modifications to vehicles are parts certificates. In addition, there is also the general type approval (ABE) for parts that are particularly easy to fit. In contrast to ABE certificates, modifications that require a parts certificate still have to be approved by an expert.

Before buying a sports suspension, you should read the relevant parts report . You can usually find this on the websites or online shops of the various manufacturers.

The parts certificate always states the axle loads and drive concepts (all-wheel, front or rear-wheel drive) for which the certificate is valid. You will also find the maximum permitted lowering range.

After the installation of a new suspension, the roadworthiness of the vehicle must still be checked by a TÜV or Dekra expert. The expert uses the conditions in the expert report as a basis. If you want to have modifications to your car approved, you must bring this document with you to the inspection.

Although a vehicle’s operating licence expires immediately after the modification, the car may still be taken to the TÜV or Dekra test centre. If the inspector does not find any defects, he issues a certificate according to §19.3 StVZO. With this certificate, the owner can have his modifications entered in the vehicle documents (document according to §19.4 StVZO) at the registration office.

A good overview of the registration regulations for the various tuning measures can be found on DEKRA Tuning .

Sports suspension installation by a BILSTEIN suspension expert

When you order a BILSTEIN sports suspension in our Online Shop , we also offer a special service for our private customers: If you have your suspension professionally installed by a BILSTEIN suspension expert , you will receive a 2-year extended warranty, a free suspension check and a discount on the installation costs.

As a long-standing original equipment manufacturer for almost all major vehicle manufacturers, we offer our sports suspensions for a wide range of vehicle models, including BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Porsche and VW.

To find out whether there is a BILSTEIN sports suspension for your vehicle, you can enter your exact vehicle model in our interactive product search .

A sports suspension is an important upgrade over a standard suspension and your best option if you want to lower your car or prefer a sportier ride.

Even if the standard suspension is defective and needs to be replaced, the installation of a sports suspension, such as the BILSTEIN B12 , can make sense. At around €800 including installation and registration by a specialist workshop, the costs for such an upgrade are kept within reasonable limits.

Sports suspensions with screw threads (threaded suspensions) offer you more flexibility and adjustment options, but are more expensive to purchase. This option is aimed at performance-oriented drivers and tuning enthusiasts who are looking for maximum individuality and the best track times in addition to lowering.

We recommend always having the installation carried out by a specialist workshop . The suspension is a safety-relevant component of your car and only in this way can you be sure to comply with all the important criteria for the TÜV and the operating permit.

You might also be interested in

Our detailed overview of coilovers explains the differences between the various coilovers and shows for which type of driver which suspension is worthwhile.

And in our latest Auto Tuning Guide , you’ll find out everything you need to know about tuning this year.

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Understanding Your Car Suspension Setup

Do you know how your car's suspension system works?

What is car suspension? It seems like a silly question because you already know that suspension is the bit that connects the wheel to the vehicle. And if you're even more of a car nerd, you'll be able to identify and name all the different components. But vehicle suspension is a topic that creates almost as many arguments as gas vs diesel or a V-engine configuration versus an inline layout . So in this discussion, we'll look at stiff suspension vs soft suspension and which is best; but before we get there, we first need to understand how complex this topic actually is.

Here's an abbreviated version of the history: Man invents the wheel. Or woman invents the wheel. We don't actually know because it predates recorded history. Man then connects two wheels with a log and invents a solid axle. Put a few pieces of wood between the two, and presto - the wagon was born. Then another wagon was built, and racing was born. Only kidding.

In any case, it took a few hundred years for man to realize that connecting the body directly to the axle was a bad idea. Every bump the wooden wheels were subjected to reverberated straight through the entire cart. The first solution for this problem was to use chains to hang the frame from the axles. This only delayed the inevitable knock that would follow, so man came up with leaf springs. Leaf springs predate the American Revolutionary War and are the most basic suspension setup still in existence today, so Fred Flintstone would probably be the only person to see this system as highly advanced.

What is a Car Suspension System?

With the above in mind, the most basic definition of suspension is a series of components connecting the wheel to the car to allow the two entities (wheel and car) to move semi-independently from each other. Basically, a way of alleviating the kinetic energy from any bump or imperfection the wheel may encounter. All of this is related to the most basic function, which is comfort. But the modern car demands a lot more than just that. A modern car's suspension is a complex system, and in most cases, consists of the following components:

• Coil springs, leaf springs, or air-based suspension
• Shock absorbers
• The rods and linkages between the components
• The bushings and joints that connect the various components

Types of Suspension

You could write a book about all of the different types of suspension setups, but we'll break it down into two main categories for this article.

• Non-independent (dependent) suspension: Basically, this is any suspension where the wheels are connected via a single solid axle. What happens to one wheel will affect the other. The best modern example of this is the Jeep Wrangler , which has solid Dana axles front and rear. Jeep still uses this setup because of its inherent toughness and fundamental physics. When the wheel on the right side is pushed up, the wheel on the left is forced down. As you can imagine, this makes for epic articulation, which makes it such a good off-roader.
• Independent suspension: There are various examples of independent suspension, with MacPherson Struts, multi-link, and double wishbones being the most common. The main difference between an independent setup and a non-independent setup is that all four cars' wheels are treated as independent entities. What happens at one corner will not affect the other. Cost is most often the deciding factor when it comes to which of the above a manufacturer uses. MacPherson struts are relatively straightforward and cheap to manufacture. A multi-link setup is any suspension setup with three or more lateral bars (arms) and one lateral bar. Manufacturers can add more than one lateral bar as well. There isn't a single standard setup, which manufacturers tend to design in-house depending on the car's needs.

Different Suspension System Settings

As mentioned earlier, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon uses solid Dana 44 axles because they're arguably the best, most cost-effective solution for off-road vehicles. The same goes for leaf springs, which you'll find at the rear suspension of most pickup trucks on sale in the USA. At the front, they'll have an independent setup, which is why you'll often hear the term semi-independent suspension.

Suspension settings depend entirely on the purpose of a car. Something as mundane as a Volkswagen Golf will use a McPherson strut at the front because it's cheap to mass manufacture yet adaptable enough to offer both comfort and the necessary grip levels. Even the VW Golf GTI uses this setup at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear. This provides the best of both worlds, as it can be both comfortable and sporty. Thanks to the invention of adaptive damping and air suspension, drivers can now choose how they want the suspension to react, but more on that later.

Most drivers want soft shocks or a soft suspension. This is easy enough to provide these days with independent options like the McPherson strut and double-wishbone suspension. A perfect example of this comfort-first approach is a luxury car like the Lexus ES. The front suspension is a MacPherson strut placed at an angle to provide a smooth ride. At the rear, it has a trailing arm with a high mounting point, which allows for a larger bushing size. All of this means the Lexus glides down the road as syrup runs down a hot pancake.

Higher up in the chain, you have some seriously advanced comfort-biased suspension setups. Manufacturers struggled with air when it first came along, but over the years, this system has been refined to a point where it's now virtually the gold standard in the luxury barge segment.

For a prime example, look no further than the all-new 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class . As standard, it has an air suspension system and active suspension dampers. The former is simply there to carry the body's load, while the latter is connected to a 48-volt system that can change the damping rate at all four wheels. Let's say the new rear-wheel-drive S-Class is accelerating from a standing start. Usually, the car's nose will lift slightly, while the rear hunkers down - because physics. The new S-Class can counteract this by balancing the forces at both axles. We were never bothered by the physical reaction of acceleration, as it was simply a given - like the sun coming up every morning. But along comes Merc and removes it via an intelligent suspension setup. There's also a new E-Active Body Control suspension setup that uses a camera and multiple sensors to scan the road ahead. It does this more than 1,000 times per second. Depending on the mode, it will prep the suspension for what's coming. If it detects a bump on the right side, it will prime the suspension to soak it up perfectly. In a more dynamic mode, it can firm up the right wheels for a tight left corner. Heck, it can even give the rear left wheel a bit more articulation when it starts spinning.

Stiff vs Soft Suspension: The Best Setup for Comfort and Performance

If you're wondering what suspension is better for comfort and which is better for performance, the answer is the same. A car has four independent wheels, which travel at different speeds, and are subject to various forces. That's why an independent suspension is the best for everything, including off-roading. We can hear the solid car axle and leaf spring fans moaning in the back, but for proof, look no further than the Land Rover Defender. It has a fully independent multi-link air suspension. Not only does it make it refined on the road, but the air suspension allows for impressive articulation. At the same time, the multi-link setup has greater control over lateral and longitudinal movements. Essentially, it improves grip, which is the essence of off-roading.

As we learned above from the new S-Class and Lexus ES, independent is also the perfect solution for a comfort suspension. Coupled with adaptive damping, it can also offer the best balance between comfort and performance. Take any of the current super-sedan cars out there: Mercedes-AMG E 63 S, Audi RS6 Avant, and BMW M5. All of them have adaptive damping, which allows them to be reasonably comfortable and ridiculously stiff when the mood for driving fast strikes.

For sports cars , independent also works best. A multi-link setup allows for great lateral and longitudinal control, improving grip. But the positives are not just limited to the lateral arms providing more grip. An adjustable shock absorber can be tuned to provide an effective damping rate, while a positive caster setting (the axis of the shock absorber) can increase grip. On performance SUVs, the norm is an air suspension, which allows for comfortable damping daily, but the car can also be lowered by a few inches to decrease the center of gravity.

How to Improve a Suspension Setup

If you're a casual car enthusiast who doesn't participate in track days, best stick with the standard OEM suspension. A manufacturer spent millions of dollars finding the perfect balance for your car, so best keep it that way. Since an independent suspension is such an intricate system, you can easily mess up the whole system by changing one component. A strut brace is a perfect example. It's affordable and easy enough to install, but your car's multi-link suspension's movement may be limited and damaged by the increased rigidity. A suspension swap is easy enough on a pickup with leaf springs. There are various manufacturers out there that offer adjustable shock absorbers that improve ride quality.

With the above in mind, here are some changes you can make to (hopefully) increase performance. We'll also include some pros and cons.

• Lowering springs: Theoretically, your car will sit lower to the ground, decreasing the center of gravity. On the downside, lowering the vehicle may harm other parts. It increases the risk of bottoming out and reduces the amount of lock you have in the steering. The body might be lowered to the point where it touches the wheel at full lock, which is a common occurrence. When it comes to car springs, please let the professionals do it. Using the wrong equipment can literally kill you.
• Upgrading the shock absorbers: When choosing a shock absorber, you want to consider the damping rate. A car's standard damping rate might be too slow for your liking. You want the oscillations (bounces) to disappear as quickly as possible for increased grip on an RWD performance car. On the downside, it will likely have a negative effect on ride comfort and your vehicle might become too stiff to live with daily.
• Different wheels and tires: This is the easiest, safest way to increase comfort and performance, yet it's often overlooked. Swapping the OEM tire for a grippier tire has apparent benefits. You can take it too far, however. Semi-slick tires may seem like a good idea, right up until it rains. Some suspension components also rely on the tire for a certain amount of flex and give. A grippier tire might even put too much stress on the other suspension components.

Types of Suspensions

• First Online: 18 April 2023

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In most racing vehicles, the double-wishbone axle for front and rear has become established. It offers the greatest freedom in design for the designer, but also subsequently in the setup for the race engineer. The moving masses can be kept low even with large track widths. In addition, this design can be used for both driven and non-driven axles. Rally vehicles use wheel-guiding suspension struts at the front and rear.

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A compilation of typical starting values for the development of race cars can be found in the Racing Car Technology Manual Vol. 5 Data Analysis, Tuning and Development , Chap. 5 Tuning Table 5.3.

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Trzesniowski, M. (2023). Types of Suspensions. In: Suspension System. Springer Vieweg, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-39847-7_4

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Shock travel: You need it, but how much and why? Ultimately, it comes down to how you’re using your vehicle. A trophy truck with crazy long travel suspension designed to soak up canyons at 100 mph will have a very different answer than an autocross car that’s sucked down to the ground.

For the sake of today’s explanation, we’re going to stick to general street cars. That means you’re using your vehicle to cruise down roads that have imperfections, railroad tracks, speed bumps, etc. Not dedicated track cars that live on the autocross, drag strip or road course. Those vehicles may require very different answers based on a number of factors, from aerodynamics to tire size and track surface.

What is shock travel?

Shock travel measures a shock’s movement through both compression and extension strokes. Compression means the shock’s piston rod is pushing up into the body of the shock, shortening (or compressing) in length. Extension is the exact opposite, meaning the piston rod is being pulled out of the body. This lengthens (or extends) the shock’s overall length.

Ultimately, you want enough travel in your shock not to top it out or bottom it out. Your shock should never be fully extended or compressed through your suspension’s full range of movement. What happens if it does? Nothing good. Not only will it give your car a rough ride, but a shock that does not have enough travel can cause performance issues and even damage your shocks or other suspension components.

How much shock travel does a street car need?

This depends on what type of suspension you have. It differs between straight axle suspensions and independent suspensions.

On straight axle suspension systems, there is a 1 to 1 ratio between the movement of your shock and your wheel. That means if your wheel moves one inch, your shock extends or compresses one inch. In these applications 2.5 inches of shock travel in both directions (compression and extension) should generally be enough.

Depending on the way your suspension is set up, you may need more. If you want to limit body roll for stiffer handling, you may want less travel than that. But even in these cases, your shock should not be thing limiting your suspension—ie being fully extended to keep the car from experiencing body roll.

For independent suspension systems, shocks do not require as much travel. That’s because the control arm acts as a lever. So, while your shock may only be moving an inch, your wheel could be traveling two inches. It could be moving three inches.  It all depends on where your lower shock is located. The closer your shock is to your wheel, the closer to 1:1 that motion ratio will be.

When measuring for shock travel on an independent suspension system, start with wheel travel. Make sure it can move 2.5” in both directions. To check this, measure between your upper and lower shock mount when your suspension is fully compressed and at full droop. This will tell you how much overall stroke you’ll need to keep from bottoming out or topping out your shock.

Shock travel FAQs

What if I’m building a custom suspension setup? When setting up your own shock mounts, make sure you have a range of motion that allows enough travel. Just as importantly, make sure you can find and fit a shock that provides that much travel when extended and compressed. Any time you’re adding length, you’re adding stroke to the shock – meaning our shock will have a larger body.

How much shock stroke do I need for a street car? For straight axle applications, most cars will require a shock with five inches of stroke or so. This allows for the 2.5” of compression travel and 2.5” of extension travel mentioned above. Independent suspensions will vary depending on their design. Use the method mentioned above to measure your shock amounts and find out how much stroke is required.

Bringing it all together

We hope this helps answer some of the questions you might have about shock travel. Looking to find the right shock for your car or truck? Our tech team is happy to help. Give us a call at 952-985-5675.

Suspension List

The Right Suspension For You Is A Necessity, Not An Option

Sport Suspension Vs Normal Suspension (With Pros And Cons)

Written by: Thomas

Published on: September 16, 2022

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Suspension is a critical part of a car’s performance and provides the vehicle with stability in various scenarios. However, there are a variety of different suspension systems that can be used, each with its benefits and drawbacks.

As far as we can see most of the suspension systems currently available in the market fall under two major categories, which are sport and normal suspension. At this point, the sport suspension vs. normal suspension debate continues to spread among vehicle enthusiasts. 

Before you encounter any issues after spending your hard-earned cash on an aftermarket suspension system, you ought to learn more about the two categories to make sure everything turns out according to your wants. For this reason, here we present a comparison between sport suspension and normal suspension to help you have a better idea of what you need.

Sport Suspension Vs Normal Suspension In a Table

What Is A Sport Suspension?

A sport suspension is a type of suspension that is specifically designed to provide more extreme handling and skiing performance. 

It is also often used in racing, where it can provide better stability and grip. Sport suspension typically has higher stiffness and resistance to deflection than normal suspension. This allows the vehicle to rock more heavily when cornering or turning, which gives you more control over the car. 

What Is A Normal Suspension?

Normal Suspension works by using shocks to dampen the movement of the car. This helps reduce body jolts and makes it easier for the driver to maintain control while driving. 

For ordinary driving conditions, such as regular roads and a regular commute, the regular suspension will accomplish its purpose. The downside to this system is that it often loses its effectiveness as the car ages or becomes harder to handle in certain areas. 

Sport Suspension Vs Normal Suspension – What Are The Differences?

In general, we’re better able to pinpoint the meaning of the words related to suspension than we are to understand them. For ordinary road driving, we experience a suspension that is just “acceptable” for the vehicle, while for high-performance automobiles, we highly recommend one that offers more overall performance.

Some luxury cars even have suspension modes that serve the twin purposes of isolation and closeness, allowing the driver to choose between sports or standard options with a flick of a dial. You have a chance to see the distinction, but what could set them apart? Check it out below.

Weight Distribution

Suspension is the term used to describe how a car’s weight is distributed around its frame. Normal suspension means that the weight is evenly distributed around the frame, with no more than 50% of it on one side of the vehicle. 

Sport suspension means that the weight is spread evenly across the frame, with more than 50% of it on one side of the vehicle. This difference can make a big difference in how well a car behaves when cornering or braking. 

Ride Quality and Handling

In most cases, a normal suspension works by the shock absorbers being able to “bounce” when they move. This is because when the car is bouncing around, it creates motion that the shock absorber can sense and correct. 

When you add a high-end sports suspension, however, the shocks are specifically designed to resist movement and stay in place instead of bouncing. This mechanism creates a significant difference in handling. 

Furthermore, high-end sports suspensions use a wider and taller armature than normal suspensions. This widened, and taller armature helps to provide greater compliance and better handling. 

On top of that, sports suspensions also use lighter springs than normal suspensions. This lighter spring helps to reduce harshness during acceleration and braking, which can be beneficial in races or other competition settings.

Application

Sport suspensions are typically designed for racing or track use, while normal suspensions are common in everyday life. When choosing between sport and regular suspension, it’s important to consider how you plan on using your car. If you plan on mostly driving off-road or using street cars for commuting, a regular suspension would be better suited for you. 

With high-end sports suspensions, the shocks are specifically designed to provide a better ride and handling. This allows for a greater range of motion and more stability when the car is moving. The shocks also have more rebound and firmness which gives the car a neater look and feel.

The design of different types of suspension systems used in sport and normal vehicles can have a significant impact on both ride and handling. However, in general, sports suspensions are designed to provide more lateral displacement for the car and allow for more support during cornering. 

As a result, they typically have higher ride heights and should be proportioned to the vehicle’s track width. Normal suspensions, in contrast, are designed to provide ground clearance and stability at all speeds. They typically use smaller shocks than sport suspensions and typically rely on FK or coil-over feedback mechanisms to control travel and height. 

In addition, normal suspensions tend to be installed deeper into the car’s chassis than sport suspensions so that they are less likely to interfere with wheel contact during movement. 

Pros and Cons of Sport Suspension

Here are the pros and cons of sports suspensions:

• Ride height adjustability makes it more versatile for different types of racing events.
• Multiple variations for different surfaces allow for an even more varied driving experience. 
• Increased stability can come with sports suspension, making it less likely to end up in accidents during races. 
• Allow for a greater degree of body movement, which can give your car more power and stability while cornering or driving in slippery conditions. 
• Increase the comfort of the driving experience
• Higher chance of ending up on the driver’s lap
• They tend to be stiffer

Pros and Cons of Normal Suspension

Let’s check the pros and cons of normal suspensions as well:

• Normal suspension can be less expensive than sports suspension, so it can be a better buy in cases where money is tight.
• This is the best option in terms of daily use. 
• It often eliminates the need for a separate shock absorber. 
• Allows for a more natural movement of the car in both directions due to the contact patch between the tires and the road.
• Not suitable for cars that have overweight or poorly designed suspensions.
• May not provide enough travel for you to get around tight corners or shifts in weight on rougher roads. 

Sport Suspension Vs Normal Suspension: Our Verdict

Suspension is a vital part of a car’s function. It allows the car to move through its surroundings and can help improve braking and handling. As we have already mentioned, sports suspensions are designed for more performance and handling, while normal suspensions are better for everyday use. 

Technically, normal suspensions apply pressure to both the front and rear wheels simultaneously, which provides a smooth ride and increased stability. Sport suspensions apply only pressure to the front wheel, which gives the car more power and speed. This type of suspension is often used on professional racing cars or motorcycles. 

However, each person has their preferences when it comes to suspension, and what may work for one person may not work for another. Some people prefer normal suspension, while others prefer sport suspension. Sport Suspension uses more aggressive shocks and is designed to provide more stability in the car. 

At the same time, some people think that this type of suspension can be harder to control than normal suspension. This means that you may have to use more force to move the car and make it go where you want it to go. On the other hand, regular suspensions are usually easier to control and can be used in most cars without any modification.

More differences:

• Air Ride vs. Hydraulics (With Pros And Cons)
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Suspension Travel

Shock size matters, more suspension travel results in a smoother ride.

Imagine a car speeding towards a brick wall. The average force (and acceleration) required to bring a moving body to rest is inversely proportional to the stopping distance. The ability of a shock-mitigating device to lessen an impact and ensure a smooth ride is tied to its stopping distance. It’s the equivalent of gently applying the brakes on the car, allowing it to roll to a halt over some distance.

Acceleration: Defined

We gain further insight by considering the definition of acceleration: the rate of change of velocity with respect to time. When a boat collides with a wave it undergoes a velocity change due to its motion relative to the water’s surface, and so the acceleration will depend on the size of that change and inversely depend on the time over which it occurs. This suggests the two main approaches to lowering impact severity: reduce the impact velocity or increase the time duration of the event.

Impact Factors on the Water

On the water, a boat’s hull design, speed, and the sea-state are the dominant factors that dictate the velocity change during a wave slam. This change is thus reduced by improved hull design, slowing down, and avoiding poor conditions. These preventative measures lie at the heart of any shock-reduction strategy, but impacts cannot be eliminated entirely. In certain cases, speed cannot be reduced, waves cannot be avoided, and even the most experienced operator can be caught off-guard.

Milder Rides

Shock mitigating equipment is designed to increase the time duration of each impact. The longer it takes to undergo the impact velocity change, the smoother the ride will be, and adding suspension travel to a shock-mitigating device is a sensible way to achieve this. It’s akin to giving the imaginary car more braking distance before the wall.

Comparing Suspension Travel Lengths

A longer deceleration leads to lower average forces. This explains why a 1” platform of vibration-mitigating foam is inferior to a 4” travel suspension system when it comes to mitigating shocks. Likewise, a 4” travel suspension will be outperformed by its 10” counterpart. The principle applies to impacts in any direction, including lateral. If only a short suspension travel distance is provided, a proportionate level of shock-mitigation can be expected.

Other Considerations

Of course, there are space and weight limitations on any boat, and ergonomics must be a top priority. Operators must interact with controls, maintain a low profile, and avoid sacrificing their sightlines. But when it comes to shock-mitigation, bigger really is better, and long-travel suspensions will yield the best results.

12 New Luxury Cars With Air Suspension

A ir suspension systems are among the most sought-after and fascinating features in modern vehicles , especially in luxury cars and SUVs. The integration of air suspension systems has rapidly evolved, thus enhancing the driving experience and providing unparalleled control, comfort, and versatility.

UPDATE: 2024/03/23 02:10 EST BY DENNIS KARIUKI NJOKI

There are different types of suspension systems in cars, but none beats air suspension when it comes to providing the smoothest rides to its occupants. Although many modern cars today come with air suspension as a standard or optional feature, not all offer an unforgettable driving experience. We've, therefore, updated this article to include the coolest new cars fitted with air suspension in 2024.

Nowadays, most automotive manufacturers fit their vehicles with air suspension systems, offering buyers an elevated level of adaptability, luxury, and dynamic performance. These cool, new cars showcase how air suspension is reshaping the way of travel on the road.

How We Got Our Model Selection: HotCars analyzed all new cars fitted with air suspension as a standard feature in 2024. Pricing and suspension system-related info was sourced from respective manufacturer websites, while additional supporting information was sourced from authoritative websites like Edmunds, Motortrend, and CarandDriver. All included models were sorted from the cheapest to the most expensive based on their starting MSRP.

10 Luxury Car Features That Are Very Expensive

2024 bmw x7: starting msrp - $81,900, bmw's adaptive 2-axle air suspension benefits & features.

• Consistent handling characteristics regardless of cargo weight
• Optimal handling, stability, and responsiveness
• Enhanced ground clearance for rough terrains

For years, the X5 has been the largest SUV in BMW's model lineup. However, the introduction of the X7 SUV gave BMW a top contender, good enough to compete with the Mercedes-Benz GLS SUV. Like any luxury SUV, the 2024 BMW X7 has new cabin technology , many standard features, and more powerful engine options.

While it was a heavy and large vehicle, BMW made it easy for drivers to maneuver the X7 with light and precise steering. BMW offers a few versions of the X7, including the xDrive40i, the high-performance M60i , and the Alpina XB7. The xDrive40i and M60i get a self-leveling air suspension with adaptive dampers, but the driver can also pick between different suspension settings. In comfort mode, the X7 provides a somewhat floaty ride, while the Sport mode settles down the overall ride without compromising on comfort.

2024 Mercedes-Benz GLS: Starting MSRP - $87,000

Mercedes-benz's airmatic benefits & features.

• Enhanced overall vehicle responsiveness and dynamics
• Ease of tackling various off-road conditions
• Improved control and stability when towing

The GLS is one of the coolest full-size SUVs from Mercedes . Thanks to its impressive performance and size, it sits near the top of the luxury SUV food chain. The 2024 Mecedes-Benz GLS is a family-friendly, technologically advanced, and beautifully built SUV that competes with the BMW X7, Cadillac Escalade, Land Rover Range Rover, and Lincoln Navigator.

It offers a distinctive blend of elegance, interior space, and a remarkable driving experience. All GLS trims come standard with adaptive air suspension for improved ride comfort and handling. With it, drivers can raise or lower the ride height, while the GLS 63 includes active roll stabilization. Mercedes' Airmatic suspension ensures there's very little outside world intrusion for its occupants, thus improving the overall ride comfort.

2024 Audi A8: Starting MSRP - $90,900

Audi a8 comfort adaptive air suspension benefits & features.

• Adjusts ride height depending on the driver's preference
• Smoothes out road vibrations and bumps
• Adapts automatically to respective driving conditions

Audi's largest luxury sedan returned in 2024 unchanged from the 2022 refresh. Although it's among the cheapest luxury sedans on this list, make no mistake: the A8 is as luxurious and comfortable as its competitors. After all, the A8 is Audi's pinnacle of opulence, showcasing the German brand's newest technology features.

Amongst its most impressive luxury features is the adaptive air suspension. As the name suggests, the A8's air suspension automatically adjusts to the driving conditions, providing optimized ride comfort and driving dynamics. Combined with the standard adaptive dampers, this suspension setup makes the A8 enjoyable to drive or be driven in.

Masterclass: Everything You Should Know About Your Car's Suspension

2024 audi sq8: starting msrp - $96,600, audi's adaptive air suspension benefits & features.

• Selectable driving modes for enhanced handling
• Adjustable ride height for improved ground clearance
• Minimal body roll during cornering

The SQ8 sits near the top of Audi's extensive SUV lineup . It offers more performance than the five-passenger Audi Q8 SUV. Like its more powerful sibling, the RS Q8, the SQ8 offers a spectacular combination of technology, refinement, handling, power, and luxury.

The SQ8 is a family-friendly performance SUV with one of the largest cabins in its class. Despite its steep starting price, the SQ8 is reasonably priced compared to key rivals like the BMW X5 M, Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S, and Porsche Cayenne Turbo. It is also surprisingly comfortable, given its sporty styling, thanks to its standard air suspension and sport-tuned adaptive suspension dampers. The optional S Sport package adds active roll stabilization for stability while taking corners at high speed.

2024 BMW 7 Series: Starting MSRP - $96,400

• Adjustable damping forces depending on driving conditions
• Auto leveling feature for consistent handling characteristics
• Adaptive damping control for optimal handling

The BMW 7 Series has been the brand's flagship sedan for over four decades. Over the years, the 7 Series has demonstrated how far technology, luxury, and performance have come. Its main highlight is the jaw-dropping, massive 31-inch rear theater screen and an available hands-free highway driving system.

The 760i is the most powerful, thanks to a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine and a 48-volt mild hybrid system yielding a total output of 536 hp. The 2024 BMW 7 Series lineup comes standard with a self-leveling air suspension system with adaptive dampers . BMW also incorporates a rear-wheel steering system for enhanced maneuverability.

2024 Land Rover Range Rover: Starting MSRP - $107,400

Land rover's electronic air suspension benefits & features.

• Versatility and adaptability in various driving conditions
• Consistent handling characteristics for enhanced comfort
• Integrated adaptive dynamics for optimized suspension response

The 2024 Range Rover is Land Rover's flagship SUV. It boasts an all-new design with modernistic touches and new engines. The design changes of the Range Rover push the boundaries to make it both elegant and sophisticated. It retains its predecessor's impressive off-road pedigree by retaining most of the rugged hardware, including all-wheel drive and an updated air suspension.

The standard air suspension is Range Rover's real party piece, providing a luxurious ride on all road surfaces. On top of that, this height-adjustable air suspension can yield up to an incredible 11.1 inches of ground clearance. This, combined with five terrain driving modes, makes the 2024 Range Rover one of the best off-road SUVs . You won't have to worry about maneuverability either, as the 2024 Range Rover is equipped with four-wheel steering, making it more agile around corners than its size suggests.

The Torsion Bar Suspension Explained

2024 mercedes-benz s-class: starting msrp - $118,450.

• Active suspension adjustment based on road conditions
• Improved stability at higher speeds
• Individual wheel control for optimal tire contact

The S Class is the largest Mercedes-Benz sedan money can buy. It sits at the top of the lineup and boasts of being one of the most luxurious German cars . Thanks to its large stature, the S Class has a spacious cabin with the latest technology, exceptional comfort, and top-quality materials.

Despite being the brand's largest sedan, the 2024 S Class features an innovative rear-wheel steering system that offers improved maneuverability at high speeds . It also makes the car easier to park. The standard height-adjustable air suspension can lower the car's height to 0.7 inches when in Sport+ driving mode, therefore improving its overall handling.

2024 Audi S8: Starting MSRP - $123,400

Audi s8 predictive active suspension benefits & features.

• Ensures minimal body roll during high-speed cornering
• Uses a 48-volt electric system to increase or reduce pressure on each wheel independently
• Can be adjusted to provide either a stiffer or more comfortable ride, depending on the driving mode

The Audi S8 is the high-performance, sportier version of its A8 sibling. It swaps the A8's V6 engine with a twin-turbocharged V8 that produces up to 563 hp, making it one of the fastest luxury sedans with an acceleration time of 3.8 seconds from 0 to 60 mph. Currently in its fifth year of the D5 generation, the 2024 S8 is unchanged from the 2023 model.

Besides performance, the 2024 S8 offers a comfortable ride, making it a perfect blend of performance and comfort. Unlike its A8 sibling, which features an adaptive air suspension, the S8 gets what Audi calls predictive active suspension. The setup comprises forward-facing cameras, and a height-adjustable air suspension system that can control each wheel independently, giving the S8 improved cornering prowess and minimal body roll.

2024 Mercedes-AMG SL Roadster: Starting MSRP - $137,400

Mercedes-amg sl roadster: amg ride control benefits & features.

• Adaptive damping based on road conditions
• Enhanced comfort and stability
• Better maneuverability over rough surfaces

The SL is among the best roadsters Mercedes has to offer. It has been around for ages, and the new variant continues with the lineup's rich and well-known legacy. The new SL version boasts a new design and adds four-wheel steering and all-wheel drive.

The SL is a great competitor to options like the BMW M8 and Lexus LC. As standard, the SL lineup gets several adjustable drive modes, making it easier to dial in the right amount of comfort and agility. With these modes, you can stiffen the AMG-tuned suspension for improved handling or relax it for more comfort. These qualities help the SL Roadster strike a perfect balance between sporty handling and a comfortable daily driver, making it one of the most comfortable roadsters on the market.

HotCars Explains: The Pros and Cons Of Semi-Trailing Arm Suspension

2024 rolls-royce cullinan: starting msrp - $391,750, rolls-royce's self-leveling air suspension benefits & features.

• Signature Rolls-Royce "magic carpet" ride
• Easily tackle challenging terrains
• Load leveling and towing support

The Cullinan is a luxury SUV that allows you to transport your family with style. It introduced a renewed functionality to Rolls-Royce's typical magnificent cabin ambiance. The Cullinan also offers an imperious driving position with a chunkier steering wheel than the Phantom.

In the Cullinan's cavernous cabin, you can opt for the four-seat configuration for better comfort and style if you have a smaller family. It's hard to beat the Cullinan regarding luxury and comfort. It comes standard with an adaptive air suspension in the base model, while the Black Badge trim gets a sport-tuned version of Rolls-Royce's self-leveling air suspension. While most of its rivals use a V8 engine, the Cullinan utilizes a powerful twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter V12 engine.

2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre: Starting MSRP - $422,750

• High-speed processing capabilities
• Smoothes out all undulations in the road
• Adjustable suspension depending on braking, steering, etc

Rolls-Royce was one brand most people wouldn't have expected to jump on the EV bandwagon that quickly with the Spectre. The Spectre is an electric coupe . It boasts excellent artisanship that perfectly blends with electric technology.

The Spectre also marks the beginning of the brand's goal of having a fully electric model lineup by 2030. It rides on the same platform as the Cullinan and Phantom. However, it uses a fully electric powertrain with two electric motors that produce 577 hp to make it one of the most powerful Rolls-Royce models. It also excels in the comfort department thanks to its standard air suspension, adaptive dampers, and active stabilizer bars.

2024 Rolls-Royce Phantom: Starting MSRP - $505,750

• Active anti-roll stabilization
• Manual and automatic height adjustment
• Precise control over body motions
• Optimal tire contact with the road

The Phantom is the epitome of comfort and luxury from Rolls-Royce. Besides being a comfortable and luxurious sedan, the Phantom is a powerful, exclusive, and expensive vehicle .

Sitting at the top of the Rolls-Royce model lineup, the Phantom is hands down the pinnacle of comfort and luxury. Its adaptive air suspension is just one of many features there to provide the most luxurious ride. A pothole-spotting camera scans the road ahead in real time, helping the suspension adapt to the road conditions accordingly. Phantom owners can also easily customize the sedan to their liking. Its unlimited customization options help it stand out everywhere it goes. In addition, the Phantom sports one of the most recognizable grilles worldwide.

• Best overall
• Best for expensive trips
• Best for exotic trips
• Best for annual plans

How we reviewed travel insurance for seniors

Best travel insurance for seniors of may 2024.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

Reaching your golden years doesn't mean your adventures have to end. In fact, in this stage of life, you'll hopefully have more time and resources to travel. But as a senior citizen, you'll want to ensure you have travel insurance that covers any health-related issues arise while you travel.

Our top picks for the best senior travel insurance

• Best overall: Allianz Travel Insurance
• Best for expensive trips: John Hancock Travel Insurance
• Best for exotic trips: World Nomads Travel Insurance

Best for annual plans: Travel Guard

How we rate the best senior travel insurance companies »

Compare travel insurance for seniors

Your health gets more unpredictable as you age, which makes travel insurance more important for seniors. Unfortunately, it's also more expensive. The best travel insurance for seniors won't have too steep of a price hike compared to rates for younger travelers. It will have high coverage limits for emergency medical coverage, trip cancellations, and and emergency medical evacuation. It's also important that your travel insurance offers pre-existing condition waivers , ideally at no extra cost to the traveler. 

Here are our picks for the best travel insurance coverage for seniors in 2024.

Best overall: Allianz

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good option for frequent travelers thanks to its annual multi-trip policies
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Doesn't increase premium for trips longer than 30 days, meaning it could be one of the more affordable options for a long trip
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Some plans include free coverage for children 17 and under
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Concierge included with some plans
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Coverage for medical emergency is lower than some competitors' policies
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Plans don't include coverage contact sports and high-altitude activities
• Single and multi-trip plans available
• Trip cancellation and interruption coverage starting at up to $10,000 (higher limits with more expensive plans)
• Preexisting medical condition coverage available with some plans

Allianz Travel Insurance is one of the most widely recognized names in travel insurance, and it stands out as one of the top travel insurance providers for seniors. It offers a wide range of policies covering medical treatments overseas and emergency medical transport.

Allianz also provides options for varying trip lengths. Its annual multi-trip policies , for example, cover any trip you make during your policy period, even if they aren't yet planned, making it an excellent option for seniors who vacation multiple times per year.

Read our Allianz Travel Insurance review here.

Best for expensive trips: John Hancock

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Offers 3 travel insurance plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason rider available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Affordable travel insurance premiums
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews of claims process are mixed
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Buyers may not get specialty coverage for sports equipment and other high value items
• Trip cancellation for 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption insurance for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000 per person
• Medical evacuation coverage of up to $1,000,000

John Hancock Travel Insurance plans for seniors offer some of the best coverage available. It provides generous maximum benefit amounts while still offering affordable prices.

Each plan includes coverages like trip cancellation, emergency accident, and emergency medical, with the option to add benefits like CFAR (cancel for any reason) . Plus, getting a free online quote is a quick and straightforward process.

Read our John Hancock Travel Insurance review here.

Best for exotic trips: World Nomads

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Coverage for 200+ activities like skiing, surfing, and rock climbing
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Only two plans to choose from, making it simple to find the right option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You can purchase coverage even after your trip has started
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If your trip costs more than $10,000, you may want to choose other insurance because trip protection is capped at up to $10,000 (for the Explorer plan)
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer coverage for travelers older than 70
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) option
• Coverage for 150+ activities and sports
• 2 plans: Standard and Explorer
• Trip protection for up to $10,000
• Emergency medical insurance of up to $100,000
• Emergency evacuation coverage for up to $500,000
• Coverage to protect your items (up to $3,000)

World Nomads Travel Insurance is a great choice for active senior citizens under 70 who want comprehensive travel insurance. The key difference between World Nomads and many other providers is that it covers 200+ adventurous activities like scuba diving, mountain biking, surfing, skiing, and even bungee jumping. In addition, World Nomads' trip cancellation and emergency medical coverage includes COVID-19-related issues. Many other insurers are excluding that type of coverage now.

For adventurous senior citizens over the age of 70 years, World Nomads suggests working with its partner, TripAssure .

Read our World Nomads Travel Insurance review here.

Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost and trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the cost, for all three plan levels
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR covers up to 75% of total trip costs (maximum of $112,500 on some plans) 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Medical coverage of up to $500,000 and evacuation of up to $1,000,000 per person
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Includes COVID coverage 
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Above average baggage loss and delay benefits
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical evacuation coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Premiums may run slightly higher than competitors

Travel Guard is a well-established and highly rated name in the travel insurance industry. It offers three main coverage options to choose from, and in general its policies have above-average coverage for baggage loss and baggage delays, plus high medical evaluation coverage limits.

• Trip cancellation coverage for up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption coverage for up to 150% of the trip cost
• Preexisting medical conditions exclusions waiver must be purchased within 15 days of initial trip payment
• Annual travel insurance plan and Pack N' Go plan (for last-minute trips) available

Travel Guard  offers comprehensive insurance plans for shorter and longer trips. One of its more unique offerings is its Travel Guard Annual Plan.

This annual travel insurance comes with standard coverage benefits (trip delay, baggage loss, etc.) and substantial coverage amounts, which is important for seniors who travel multiple times per year. Travel Guard also offers a preexisting medical condition waiver, meaning those with certain medical issues can still gain coverage.

Read our AIG Travel Guard Insurance review here.

Understanding travel insurance for seniors

Before diving into the specifics, it's essential to understand what travel insurance is and why it's particularly important for senior travelers. The best travel insurance offers financial protection against unexpected events affecting your trip, such as trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage.

Types of coverage

• Medical Coverage: Ensures your medical expenses are covered in case of illness or injury.
• Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage: Provides reimbursement if your trip is canceled or cut short due to unforeseen events.
• Baggage Coverage: Covers loss, damage, or theft of personal items during your trip.

Benefits of travel insurance for seniors

• Peace of Mind: Knowing you're covered in case of emergencies can make your travel stress-free.
• Financial Protection: Shields you from potentially overwhelming medical costs and trip cancellations fees.
• Assistance Services: Many plans offer 24/7 assistance services, providing help whenever and wherever you need it.

Making the most of your plan

After choosing a plan, it's crucial to understand your policy fully and know what services are available to you in case of an emergency.

Understanding your policy

• Read the fine print and understand the claims process to avoid surprises.

Emergency assistance services

• Familiarize yourself with the emergency assistance services offered by your plan and keep all necessary contact information handy.

How to pick senior travel insurance

It's wise to compare several different travel insurance policies for the best coverage and pricing, as premiums vary widely between insurers and depend on factors like your age and travel destination.

That said, some of the more essential coverages to look for if you're a senior citizen include:

• Travel medical coverage - This coverage will pay for your medical bills outside the US.
• Medical evacuation coverage - If you're injured or become sick while traveling, this coverage will transport you to the nearest hospital or even back home if your condition necessitates it.
• Preexisting conditions - Coverage for known health conditions. You'll need to purchase travel insurance within a certain time period from when you book your trip to qualify for a preexisting condition waiver .
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) - The name says it all! It'll cost extra and you'll need to purchase insurance early, but it's the most comprehensive trip cancellation coverage you can get. Note that CFAR insurance usually only covers up to 75% of your trip fees.
• Trip cancellation insurance - This coverage provides reimbursement for your prepaid and nonrefundable costs if you cannot make your trip due to an unforeseen event.
• Baggage delay insurance - This coverage will reimburse you for essentials like toiletries and clothes if your bags are delayed.
• Lost luggage insurance - This coverage will reimburse you up to a specified amount if your bags get lost en route.

Of these, the most critical to note are whether or not your policy covers preexisting conditions and the limits for travel medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation.

Some insurance companies offer a waiver that will cover preexisting conditions. You'll have to follow the requirements for adding a waiver to your policy, like insuring the entire cost of your trip. Or purchase the policy within a specific time after making your first trip deposit payments.

You'll also want to find a policy with high maximum limits for travel medical and emergency medical evacuation coverage. These types of expenses can be substantial, so you want to have appropriate coverage.

When comparing senior travel insurance options, we looked at the following factors to evaluate each travel insurance provider:

• Coverage limits: We looked at each travel insurance company's coverage amounts for benefits like medical emergencies and trip cancellation.
• Flexibility: We looked at how customizable a policy is, so you can choose what your travel insurance policy covers .
• Coverage for preexisting conditions: Preexisting conditions are one of the more critical factors for travel insurance for senior citizens, so we looked at travel insurance companies that offer the best coverage for preexisting conditions.
• Price: We compared travel insurance providers offering reasonable basic and comprehensive coverage rates.
• Benefits geared towards seniors: We compared travel insurance companies that offer solid coverage for senior citizens, like medical evacuation, COVID-19 coverage, and trip cancellation.

You can read more about our insurance rating methodology here.

Seniors should look for travel insurance policies that offer comprehensive medical coverage, including for preexisting conditions and emergency medical evacuation. They should also consider policies with higher coverage limits to ensure adequate protection. Additionally, seniors should seek travel insurance plans that provide 24/7 assistance services, as well as coverage for trip cancellations, interruptions, and baggage protection.

The cost of senior travel insurance coverage can vary depending on your age, overall health, state of residence, travel destination, and length of your trip. However, assuming all other factors are the same, you'll pay more for travel insurance at 70 than at 30.

All travel insurance companies, except World Nomads, included in this guide offer coverage for pre-existing medical conditions as long as you buy your policy within the qualifying period from when you placed your trip deposit.

Allianz is the best travel insurance for seniors due to its wide array of medical coverages and emergency medical transport. Allianz also offers multi-trip insurance policies , which could make sense for seniors who travel frequently.

In some instances, travel insurance companies will have age eligibility restrictions, often only insuring people 80 years old and younger.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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Dallas Car Crash: Kansas City Chiefs Expect Significant Rashee Rice NFL Suspension, Report

Rashee Rice could reportedly be suspended for at least half of the NFL regular season.

• Author: Bri Aramanthus

In this story:

DALLAS - The Kansas City Chiefs reportedly expect wide receiver Rashee Rice to be suspended for at least half of the regular season, according to NFL.com's James Palmer.

Rice was driving 119 mph just seconds before causing a six-car crash on a busy Dallas freeway last month, according to arrest and affidavit documents. 

A Lamborghini Urus, believed to have been driven by Rice, was traveling 119 mph 4.5 seconds before the March 30 collision, according to the affidavit. A Chevrolet Corvette, allegedly driven by SMU football player Teddy Knox, was traveling 116 mph 7.5 seconds before the collision. 

Rice is facing eight charges including one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury, and six counts of collision involving injury. 

Rice and Knox are being sued by two victims of a six-car crash on a busy Dallas freeway last month.

Edvard Petrovskiy and Irina Gromova are suing for damages of at least $10 million, according to a report by TMZ Sports. Per that report, Gromova and Petrovskiy claim they suffered brain trauma, lacerations that required stitches and internal bleeding in a lawsuit filed Thursday in Dallas County, Texas.

On April 3rd,  Rice released a statement admitting his involvement in the major crash.  The former SMU standout, who is now a budding star with the Chiefs,  apologized to all who were impacted by the incident.

"Today I met with Dallas PD investigators regarding Saturday's accident,"  Rice wrote on his Instagram . "I take full responsibility for my part in this matter and will continue to cooperate with the necessary authorities. I sincerely apologize to everyone impacted in Saturday's incident."

Rice, 23, grew up in North Richland Hills before starring at SMU and then becoming a second-round pick of the Chiefs in the 2023 NFL Draft. SMU is located in the same area of the car crash. He helped the  Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs to a Super Bowl  win as he caught six passes for 39 yards in a win over the San Francisco 49ers. 

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Sat, 04 May 2024 Today's Paper

CoPF approves suspension of Parate Law until December 15, 2024

2 May 2024 02:53 pm - 4     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Parliament, May 02 (Daily Mirror)- The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) approved the Recovery of Loans by Banks (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Bill which was amended to facilitate legal provisions for the suspension of the Parate Law till December 15, 2024.

The approval was granted subject to conditions.

"Accordingly, the banks’ practice of acquiring properties of those whose loans are yet to be paid off will be suspended till December 15 and the Recovery of Loans by Banks (Special Provisions) Act No. 4 of 1990 will be amended to facilitate the necessary legal provisions," the CoPF said.

The approval was given when the Committee on Public Finance met in Parliament recently under the chairmanship of MP Dr. Harsha De Silva.

Officials representing the Ministry of Finance said they hope to provide temporary relief to the creditors. 

The committee questioned the officials on what action will be taken in this regard after December 15. However, the officials present failed to give a clear answer in this regard and the committee recommended to provide a road map for the actions to be taken after December 15 to those subject to Parate Law.

The committee also recommended that all parties who have done business with the banks subject to the Parate Law be given a fair opportunity to negotiate with the banks.The committee also questioned the officials about the distribution of loans under the Parate Law.

The chair of the committee inquired about the manner in which the micro, small scale and medium scale enterprises in particular have received loans under this law and the criteria under which they are classified. 

The officials did not have the correct data on this and the chair of the committee instructed the officials to provide this data to the committee.

  Comments - 4

sss Friday, 03 May 2024 06:40 AM

No difference. It has long been suspended for politicos and their relatives and henchmen. That is how they raided state banks to the tune of Trillions. Enough money to run the whole country for 9 months. When Mr. Ranjan brought this up in parliament the thieving politicians rose up as one against it. As a pay back for such "trouble making" Ranjan was sent to jail by the the corrupt judiciary

Reply 0       0 0       0 -->

Down Under Friday, 03 May 2024 08:34 AM

This should have been done on a case by case basis instead of applying to all defaulters including the ultra rich in the country who are deliberately trying to evade paying up their loans. Depositors will be the losers as the bank will reduce int rates to cover their losses.

One shot Friday, 03 May 2024 12:57 PM

ignatius Saturday, 04 May 2024 06:11 AM

Just imagine what the shareholders of the lenders would do . Encouraging not to pay loans . especially big loans .

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