GR Corolla Ohlins Road & Track Suspension!

A new player is in town for the GR Corolla Suspension. This time it’s not some new kid on the block but rather the tried-and-true manufacture Ohlins. We are happy to announce we now carry the Ohlin’s “Road and Track” suspension for the GR Corolla.

Ohlins uses their DFV “Dual Flow Valve” technology on their road and track suspension. Buzz words and fancy acronyms aside the benefit is an additional pathway for oil to pass through in the shock internals. Most shocks have a high speed and a low-speed oil pathway complimented with a blow off valve or release system for instances of extremely compression. What is extreme compression? For most people, potholes, for those track junkies’ curbs. Any instance where the shock is asked to travel significant distance rapidly the blow off or rapid release system may be utilized.

The blue line in the figure above is the pathway the fluid takes under low-speed operation. The driver feels the effect of the low-speed shock tuning during acceleration, braking, body roll, elevation changes, etc.

The high-speed path is shown above in red. High speed is used when the shock piston is asked to travel fast but not to the point of needing to use the blow off path or rapid release pathway. Think of high speed as driving at 30 MPH and hitting a highway expansion joint, in other words a modest bump at speed. Every shock will have a different threshold for where the high-speed valving is exceeded and the blow off path is needed.

The black pathway above is the blow off or rapid release pathway. Most shocks have such a feature for rapid compression. The Ohlins differ in that they use this same pathway for rapid compression and rebound. What this means is the shock can rebound as fast as it can compresses. The result is the wheel and tire can rebound rapidly to maintain contact with the road and maintain traction. Maintaining traction is key to going fast and providing the driver with confidence.

For dedicated track use a damper with 4-way adjustability is ideal because it allows independent adjustment of high and low compression and rebound. The Road and Track suspension on the other hand is single adjustable focused on adjustment of low-speed damping. However, the single adjustability paired with the DFV system provides more comfort and compliance during those rapid compressions.

Benefits from the rapid release DFV system can be seen on the street as well. During rapid compressions such as a pothole there needs to be subsequent rapid rebound. If a suspension cannot adequately respond in rebound after a pothole there will be a secondary impact as the car falls and crashes back into contact with the pavement. So, the same benefits that make the DFV system give a driver confidence and traction on the track provides a smoother ride on the road.

To conclude the Ohlins Road and Track suspension is a welcomed addition to the GRC community. The damping and spring rates like all suspension must be correct to provide top levels of handling and comfort. With Ohlins reputation it is likely to be a quality suspension offering for the GRC. If it proves to be deserving of the Ohlins Road and Track stamp many GRC owners are likely to enjoy many miles on the suspension both on the street and at the track.