thyssenkrupp Bilstein GmbH
Wed, Jan 14, 2026 22:26 CET
Essen / Ennepetal, 15 January 2026 – Epic performance and luxurious refinement: With the new Vanquish, Aston Martin has developed a beautiful and ultra-modern GT with a powerful V12 engine. To ensure the perfect balance between comfort and performance, Aston Martin relies on innovative DampTronic X suspension technology from BILSTEIN. As the new halo car in Aston Martin’s range, the Vanquish sends a clear message of unrivalled sports car performance capabilities combined with breathtaking aesthetics. Modern masterpiece
A dramatic design language with a long hood, dynamic roofline, powerful haunches and ruthlessly abrupt rear end with integrated spoiler: the design of the new Aston Martin Vanquish combines classic GT proportions with modern elegance. In keeping with tradition, a powerful V12 engine is used in the Vanquish. The extensively revised 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 unit mobilises a massive 1,000 Nm of torque and delivers an impressive 835 hp, which accelerates the sports car up to 344 km/h. “It really is an extraordinary engine”, says Simon Newton, Director of Vehicle Performance at Aston Martin. “This sense of boundless propulsion had to be matched by an equal level of control and finesse; something we have achieved by further exploring the tremendous scope of the new BILSTEIN DampTronic X adaptive dampers, e-diff and latest generation electronics.”
High performance chassis for a powerful engine
The result is a high-performance chassis that enables an unprecedented dynamic range   between the long-distance comfort of a GT on the one hand and the precision and performance of a super sports car on the other. It is the BILSTEIN DampTronic X technology in particular that contributes to this unprecedented combination - and which already impressed the British sports car manufacturer in 2020 during driving tests on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Aston Martin was particularly impressed by the surprisingly fast lap times. The decision was therefore made to use the technology in all upcoming sports cars. These included the Valhalla hypercar and the new Vanquish. The decision to use BILSTEIN's innovative suspension technology is also the logical and seamless continuation of the decades-long collaboration between Aston Martin and BILSTEIN, as Thomas Grassmann emphasizes. “There is an exceptionally good relationship between the two companies, characterised by mutual and friendly respect,” reveals the account manager from OE sales at BILSTEIN. Exceptionally high damping dynamics
The heart of the technology is an extremely fast-adjusting pressure adjustment valve that enables exceptionally high damping dynamics: the BILSTEIN DampTronic X shock absorbers adjust the damping forces to the damping requirement determined by the central control unit in just a few milliseconds. The control concept calculates and adjusts the best damping force several hundred times per second based on sensor data such as wheel and body movement, driving speed or the change in steering angle, depending on the driving situation and wheel selectivity. In this way, it is possible to resolve the classic conflict between maximum comfort, which requires low damping forces, and maximum performance, which requires high damping forces. Together with the electronic differential, which can be locked in 135 milliseconds, the Vanquish offers one of the fastest adaptive suspensions ever. Thanks to the quick response times of the dampers, the “GT” driving dynamics mode remains comfortable while at the same time enabling remarkably agile and precise handling. In the “Sport” and “Sport+” modes, the full potential of the suspension unfolds: here the Vanquish shows its most dynamic side, with an even more direct response and firmer body control. “The low weight of the DampTronic X shock absorbers, which is achieved by the concept with internal valve and aluminum tubes, also reduces the unsprung masses,” adds Thomas Grassmann. Equipped in this way, the Vanquish turns every corner into an experience. Simon Newton draws a clear summary: “The resulting blend of dynamic precision, epic performance and luxurious refinement is uniquely special, with a bandwidth that sets a new standard for the marque’s halo model and is worthy of the Vanquish name.”
About BILSTEIN
BILSTEIN is part of thyssenkrupp AG and has its headquarters in Ennepetal, Germany. The company develops and produces suspensions, shock absorbers and springs for cars and vans and is one of the world's largest suppliers with an annual production of around 13 million shock absorbers. BILSTEIN is a technology leader and a global player with more than 4,100 employees at nine locations in six countries – including the UK, the USA, Romania, China and Mexico.

BILSTEIN technology for a sports car masterpiece: Aston Martin relies on DampTronic X in its new Vanquish

BILSTEIN Partners with Defender Rally as Official Shock Absorber Partner for the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship
Wed, Dec 10, 2025 14:23 CET
Essen/Ennepetal, 11 December 2025 — BILSTEIN is strengthening its long-standing relationship with Defender through a new partnership in one of the toughest arenas in global motorsport. As Official Shock Absorber Partner of the Defender Rally programme, BILSTEIN will support the team throughout the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), beginning with the Dakar Rally in 2026. The collaboration brings together two brands driven by precision engineering and a shared commitment to performance under extreme conditions. A New Chapter in Off-Road Competition
With the move into the W2RC, BILSTEIN expands its motorsport heritage into a discipline defined by unforgiving terrain, long-distance endurance and technical resilience. The five-event global series — spanning deserts, rock fields and rugged landscapes — serves as a demanding testbed for BILSTEIN’s latest suspension technologies. “BILSTEIN is proud to be an active partner of Defender Rally during this extraordinary journey for the brand. Building on our long-standing partnership with Defender in Original Equipment, we bring our damping expertise and decades of engineering excellence to ensure that every detail is designed for ultimate performance under the most demanding and rough conditions. The Dakar Rally marks the beginning of the World Rally-Raid Championship and stands for challenge, innovation and endurance. Values that have defined BILSTEIN as a premium brand for generations,” says Hanno Luczak, Chief Technical Officer, thyssenkrupp Bilstein GmbH. Defender Dakar D7X-R: Developed for Extreme Environments
The Defender Dakar D7X-R competes in the new W2RC “Stock” category and is derived from the production Defender OCTA platform, featuring its robust D7x aluminum monocoque architecture, drivetrain and the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8. Motorsport-specific enhancements prepare the vehicle for long-distance rally-raid stages, while the use of FIA-approved* advanced sustainable fuel underscores the programme’s forward-looking approach. Central to the D7X-R’s performance is its suspension, developed with BILSTEIN to meet the unique demands of rally-raid competition. This builds on the existing cooperation between both brands in Original Equipment applications. BILSTEIN Black Hawk Technology: Precision for Rally-Raid Demands
The Defender Dakar D7X-R is equipped with BILSTEIN’s Black Hawk shock absorber system, engineered to deliver stable, predictable performance across rapidly changing surfaces—from deep sand to sharp gravel and heavy rock. The system’s patented Zone Control CR triple-piston architecture allows precise tuning throughout the full range of suspension travel. Key features include:
Rebound Cut-Off system to stabilize rebound travel and prevent top-out
Dual Speed Compression Adjuster for separate high- and low-speed tuning
Large-capacity external reservoir for efficient heat management under continuous load
“Every component in the Black Hawk system is engineered to deliver consistent performance where conditions change by the minute,” says Adam van der Ploeg, Design Engineer BILSTEIN UK. “The system has been refined through dedicated Defender Rally testing to meet the specific challenges of this vehicle and discipline.”
Built on Partnership, Focused on the Future
The W2RC campaign deepens the collaboration between BILSTEIN and Defender, demonstrating how advanced engineering performs in real-world competition. For BILSTEIN, the partnership reflects a clear mission: developing technology that stands up to the toughest conditions motorsport can offer — and elevates what is possible for future production vehicles. *Complies with FIA regulations - FIA Appendix J, Article 266 - Energy Regulations for Competition Vehicles, Article 3 - Advanced Sustainable Fuel, 3.2 AS Petrol. Notes to Editors
About BILSTEIN
BILSTEIN is part of thyssenkrupp AG and has its headquarters in Ennepetal, Germany. The company develops and produces suspensions, shock absorbers and springs for cars and vans and is one of the world's largest suppliers with an annual production of around 13 million shock absorbers. BILSTEIN is a technology leader and a global player with more than 4,100 employees at nine locations in six countries – including the UK, the USA, Romania, China and Mexico. About Defender
Defender embraces the impossible. Each member of the Defender family is purposefully designed, highlydesirable and seriously durable. A modern-day hero that respects the past but at the same time anticipates the future. Available in 90, 110 and 130 body styles, with up to eight seats, each has a charisma of its own. As part of our vision of modern luxury by design, Defender 110 is available as an electric hybrid. Defender Hard Top means business, with 90 and 110 body styles for professional capability. The tough luxury Defender OCTA is the master of extreme performance – taking performance and capability to another level on and off-road. A beacon of liberty that can trace its roots back to the first Land Rover in 1948, Defender is a brand that supports humanitarian and conservation work with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Tusk Trust. The Defender brand is underpinned by Land Rover – a mark of trust built on more than 75 years of expertise in technology and world-leading off-road capability. Defender is designed and engineered in the UK and sold in 121 countries. It belongs to the JLR house of brands alongside Range Rover, Discovery and Jaguar. Defender Rally
Defender embraces the impossible, and Defender Rally embodies this to the extreme, demonstrating the ultimate capability, reliability and endurance in the most challenging of environments. In 2025 Defender became the official car partner of the Dakar Rally, the partnership set to continue in 2026, 2027 and 2028. From 2026, Defender will also compete in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), entering the ‘Stock’ category – this being the first of a three-year programme. Defender’s capability is designed to take on the most challenging of conditions, with Dakar Rally being the ultimate test. The competition car retains the same tough, purpose-engineered D7x body architecture as the Defender, based on a lightweight aluminium monocoque construction to create a stiff body structure, in addition to featuring the 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 engine from Defender OCTA to provide exceptional driveability. While Defender will not compete in Dakar until 2026, it played a key role at the 2025 rally as the event’s official vehicle partner. A fleet of 20 Defenders supported the event, which began in Bisha, Saudi Arabia, and ended in Shubaytah, transporting race officials and VIP media. A further six highly specialised Defender recce vehicles will be used by Dakar Rally organisers to plan the routes for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 events.

BILSTEIN Partners with Defender Rally as Official Shock Absorber Partner for the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship

thyssenkrupp Bilstein GmbH
Tue, Dec 02, 2025 09:00 CET
Essen/Ennepetal, 2 December 2025 – The shock absorber and suspension specialist BILSTEIN will launch new packaging step by step from the year 2026. The objective is to further optimise transport and logistics processes, to improve product security and at simultaneously strengthen the brand’s premium positioning both visually and functionally. The key changes at a glance:
Increased stability: In the future, the new packaging will consist of five layers of high-quality corrugated cardboard (instead of the previous three) and will feature a thicker coating with optimised corrugation. Improved protection against counterfeiting: The BILSTEIN security label with integrated authenticity check enables dealers and workshops to instantly verify whether a product is genuine. More efficiency for trade and service: Each box will feature a QR code that links directly to the BILSTEIN workshop world. Sustainability & recyclability: The new packaging is made from environmentally friendly materials that are produced more sustainably and are 100% recyclable. BILSTEIN also uses biodegradable printing inks that are free from harmful substances and allow for eco-friendly disposal. The roll-out will take place after a testing phase beginning in early 2026. During the transition period, both the old and the new packaging will be used in parallel. Products still distributed in the previous packaging can continue to be used without restrictions. With the introduction of its new packaging, BILSTEIN sends a clear message: quality applies not only to the product itself, but also to its shipping and delivery. The new packaging combines technical robustness, brand protection and environmental responsibility – ensuring a consistent premium appearance. More information is available at https://bilstein.com/de/verpackung/
About BILSTEIN
BILSTEIN is part of thyssenkrupp AG and has its headquarters in Ennepetal, Germany. The company develops and produces suspensions, shock absorbers and springs for cars and vans and is one of the world's largest suppliers with an annual production of around 13 million shock absorbers. BILSTEIN is a technology leader and a global player with more than 4,100 employees at nine locations in six countries – including the UK, the USA, Romania, China and Mexico.

BILSTEIN launches new packaging with greater stability and improved protection against counterfeiting

BILSTEIN joins Defender Rally as Official Shock Absorber Partner for the World Rally-Raid Championship
Tue, Nov 25, 2025 10:00 CET
BILSTEIN and Defender Rally are partnering to compete in one of the most demanding series in global motorsport: the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). As Official Shock Absorber Partner, BILSTEIN becomes an integral component in Defender’s works programme – beginning with the legendary Dakar Rally as the 2026 season opener. Two brands, united by the same ambition: high performance under extreme conditions. A new era begins
With its engagement with Defender Rally, BILSTEIN opens a new chapter in its motorsport history. The five W2RC events lead across deserts, rock fields and punishing stages that tolerate no mistakes – the perfect proving ground for state-of-the-art suspension technology. For BILSTEIN, this environment offers the ideal stage to demonstrate decades of engineering expertise in the toughest competition in the world. “BILSTEIN is proud to be an active partner of Defender Rally during this extraordinary journey for the brand. Building on our long-standing partnership with Defender in Original Equipment, we bring our damping expertise and decades of engineering excellence to ensure that every detail is designed for ultimate performance under the most demanding and rough conditions. The Dakar Rally marks the beginning of the World Rally-Raid Championship and stands for challenge, innovation and endurance. Values that have defined BILSTEIN as a premium brand for generations,” says Hanno Luczak, Chief Technical Officer, thyssenkrupp Bilstein GmbH. Defender Dakar D7X-R – Engineering for the extreme
At the heart of the Defender Rally is the Defender Dakar D7X-R, a rally raid variant engineered from the robust and highly capable Defender OCTA platform. Its robust D7x aluminum monocoque architecture, drivetrain, transmission and the 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 form the production-based platform on which the rally-raid model competes in the new W2RC “Stock” category. The use of an advanced sustainable fuel, as defined and compliant with FIA regulations*, further underlines the vehicle’s future-oriented motorsport credentials. At the same time, the D7X-R has been built to meet the extreme demands of the W2RC, incorporating dynamic optimisations and motorsport-specific enhancements that support performance and durability in the world’s toughest off-road stages. For the suspension, the Defender Dakar D7X-R rally car utilises cutting-edge off-road technology from its partner BILSTEIN, specifically further engineered for the unique demands of rally-raid competition. The partnership builds on an existing relationship with Defender, which sees production cars also fitted with BILSTEIN dampers. BILSTEIN Black Hawk Technology: Engineered to endure
The BILSTEIN Black Hawk shock absorber system is engineered to deliver precise control, stability and durability under extreme and constantly changing conditions. It must perform on the most varied terrain, from deep desert sand to sharp gravel and unforgiving rock. Each surface places different demands on damper length and characteristics. This is exactly where BILSTEIN’s Black Hawk technology shows its strengths. At the core of the system is the patented Zone Control CR architecture with a triple-piston design. This allows for a precisely controlled damping characteristic across the complete range of suspension movement. A key component is the Jounce Cut-Off system – an integrated hydraulic bump stop that prevents bottoming-out at the end of the compression travel. A dedicated valve stack allows the compression stage to be precisely tuned, ensuring stability and control even during extreme jumps and harsh landings. Its counterpart is the Rebound Cut-Off system, which manages rebound travel and reliably prevents unwanted top-out events. For fine-tuning across different terrain types, the system features a Dual Speed Compression Adjuster on the reservoir, enabling separate high-speed and low-speed compression adjustments. The system also uses a larger-diameter external reservoir for efficient heat dissipation, ensuring the damper maintains full performance even under sustained high loads. Developed and refined in dedicated Defender Rally testing, the BILSTEIN Black Hawk system enhances performance in the most demanding conditions and is engineered to manage the additional, constantly changing mass of the vehicle, including the 550-litre fuel system. “The BILSTEIN Black Hawk technology represents one of our most advanced, state-of-the-art damper technologies for off-road applications,” says Adam van der Ploeg, Design Engineer BILSTEIN UK. “Every component is engineered for maximum performance strength and precision. Built to perform where other systems reach their limits.”
A world-class Dakar line-up for the W2RC
For the W2RC season opener at the Dakar Rally, Defender presents one of the strongest line-ups in international off-road motorsport. Three top-tier crews will take on more than 80 hours of competitive driving and roughly 5,000 kilometres of timed stages over two weeks. The teams consist of Dakar legend Stéphane Peterhansel with Mika Metge, Rally-Raid World Champion Rokas Baciuška with Oriol Vidal and off-road specialist Sara Price alongside Sean Berriman. Their extensive experience across the world’s toughest rally events forms the perfect foundation for top-level performance, especially under the extreme conditions of the Dakar Rally. Dakar: The Everest of Motorsport
The Dakar Rally marks the opening stage of the W2RC and is widely regarded as the toughest test in motorsport. Approximately 5,000 kilometres of timed stages through deserts, rock fields and extreme temperatures make it the ultimate proving ground for technology that must prove itself under real-world pressure. What performs here shapes the innovations of tomorrow. A strong partnership, built for the future
Through entering the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, BILSTEIN and Defender deepen their long-standing collaboration. Both brands demonstrate what true technical excellence looks like under extreme, real-world competition. For BILSTEIN, participation in the W2RC is far more than a motorsport entry. It is a clear statement of engineering that proves itself in competition. Precision, performance and reliability: values that have defined BILSTEIN for decades. *Complies with FIA regulations - FIA Appendix J, Article 266 - Energy Regulations for Competition Vehicles, Article 3 - Advanced Sustainable Fuel, 3.2 AS Petrol. Notes to Editors
About BILSTEIN
BILSTEIN is part of thyssenkrupp AG and has its headquarters in Ennepetal, Germany. The company develops and produces suspensions, shock absorbers and springs for cars and vans and is one of the world's largest suppliers with an annual production of around 13 million shock absorbers. BILSTEIN is a technology leader and a global player with more than 4,100 employees at nine locations in six countries – including the UK, the USA, Romania, China and Mexico. About Defender
Defender embraces the impossible. Each member of the Defender family is purposefully designed, highly desirable and seriously durable. A modern-day hero that respects the past but at the same time anticipates the future. Available in 90, 110 and 130 body styles, with up to eight seats, each has a charisma of its own. As part of our vision of modern luxury by design, Defender 110 is available as an electric hybrid. Defender Hard Top means business, with 90 and 110 body styles for professional capability. The tough luxury Defender OCTA is the master of extreme performance – taking performance and capability to another level on and off-road. A beacon of liberty that can trace its roots back to the first Land Rover in 1948, Defender is a brand that supports humanitarian and conservation work with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Tusk Trust. The Defender brand is underpinned by Land Rover – a mark of trust built on more than 75 years of expertise in technology and world-leading off-road capability. Defender is designed and engineered in the UK and sold in 121 countries. It belongs to the JLR house of brands alongside Range Rover, Discovery and Jaguar. Defender Rally
Defender embraces the impossible, and Defender Rally embodies this to the extreme, demonstrating the ultimatecapability, reliability and endurance in the most challenging of environments. In 2025 Defender became the official car partner of the Dakar Rally, the partnership set to continue in 2026, 2027 and 2028. From 2026, Defender will also compete in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), entering the ‘Stock’ category – this being the first of a three-year programme. Defender’s capability is designed to take on the most challenging of conditions, with Dakar Rally being the ultimate test. The competition car retains the same tough, purpose-engineered D7x body architecture as the Defender, based on a lightweight aluminium monocoque construction to create a stiff body structure, in addition to featuring the 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 engine from Defender OCTA to provide exceptional driveability. While Defender will not compete in Dakar until 2026, it played a key role at the 2025 rally as the event’s official vehicle partner. A fleet of 20 Defenders supported the event, which began in Bisha, Saudi Arabia, and ended in Shubaytah, transporting race officials and VIP media. A further six highly specialised Defender recce vehicles will be used by Dakar Rally organisers to plan the routes for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 events.

BILSTEIN joins Defender Rally as Official Shock Absorber Partner for the World Rally-Raid Championship

November 2025 – Precision, passion and engineering excellence – for decades, these are the values that the name BILSTEIN has stood for. This year’s results of the large “Best Brand” reader polls show that this claim is not only recognised in development departments, but also by specialist readers, workshops and car enthusiasts: the suspension experts at BILSTEIN won as many as seven prestigious awards in 2025. Readers of the leading trade media “auto motor und sport”, “sport auto”, “MotorKlassik”, “Motorsport aktuell”, “Auto Zeitung” and “Classic Cars” voted BILSTEIN into first place in the categories of suspensions, sports suspensions and coilovers. A vote of up to 75.7% (MotorKlassik, suspension category) and other top scores such as 63.6% of sport auto, 61.9% of auto motor und sport or 65% of Motorsport aktuell clearly show that the trust in the BILSTEIN is unbroken – across generations, target groups and vehicle segments. Engineering with passion – made in Germany
There is more to every BILSTEIN suspension than just technology: it is the result of decades of experience, meticulous development and genuine enthusiasm for driving dynamics. From original equipment for renowned car manufacturers to sophisticated retrofit solutions for road, racetrack and classic cars – every BILSTEIN product claims to be “WAY AHEAD”. “We are proud that our work – from engineering and manufacturing to service – is recognised in this way”, says Simon Frick, President Aftermarket Group at thyssenkrupp Automotive (thyssenkrupp BILSTEIN GmbH and Berco Aftermarket s.r.l.). “These awards are both an honour and an incentive for us – because they show that our passion for suspensions is shared by readers of the trade media.”
Balance of tradition and future
Especially in a time when mobility and technology are developing rapidly, BILSTEIN remains true to its principle of combining innovation with tradition. This becomes apparent both in series production and in the performance and classic sectors. Whether coilovers and sports suspensions for ambitious drivers or series solutions for classic cars, the BILSTEIN brand stands for exhilarating driving experience. The awards at a glance (2025):
Magazine
BILSTEIN would like to thank all readers who made this success possible with their votes. Each award is a confirmation – and at the same time a promise: BILSTEIN will continue to make every effort to offer the best suspension experience – with passion, precision and innovative spirit. About BILSTEIN
BILSTEIN is part of thyssenkrupp AG and has its headquarters in Ennepetal, Germany. The company develops and produces suspensions, shock absorbers and springs for cars and vans and is one of the world's largest suppliers with an annual production of around 13 million shock absorbers. BILSTEIN is a technology leader and a global player with more than 4,100 employees at nine locations in six countries – including the UK, the USA, Romania, China and Mexico.

Seven awards: BILSTEIN impresses once again in the “Best Brand” reader polls

Aston Martin operates as a British sports car manufacturer with a focus on vehicles. The company offers a range of sports cars, including coupes, roadsters, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs), noted for engineering and customization options. It was founded in 1913 and is based in Warwick, United Kingdom.

Aston Martin

The decision to use BILSTEIN 's innovative suspension technology is also the logical and seamless continuation of the decades-long collaboration between Aston Martin and BILSTEIN , as Thomas Grassmann emphasizes .

Thyssenkrupp Steel operates as a supplier in the flat carbon steel industry, focusing on producing steel products. The company offers various steel products and services, including customized material solutions and material-related services, catering to sectors such as automotive, packaging, and energy. Thyssenkrupp Steel aims to produce climate-neutral steel. It was founded in 1811 and is based in Duisburg, Germany.

Thyssenkrupp Steel

Acquired

Bilstein is a manufacturer of various automobile related parts specifially shock absorbers.

Date	1/1/1988
Round	Acquired
Amount
Investors	thyssenkrupp
Valuation	$XXM
Revenue	0 FY undefined
Sources	1

First funding	1/1/1988
Last Funding	1/1/1988
Investor	thyssenkrupp
Rounds	1 Acquired
Board Seats
Type	Corporation
Location	Germany

How VCs Use CB Insights

Professional Services

Platform Overview

Bilstein

Investors Count

Funding, Valuation & Revenue

Bilstein Investors