Discover the Right Springs for Your Car
Your car’s suspension is one of the key factors that determine drivability, comfort, and handling. If you want better performance, reduced body roll, and a vehicle that stays planted no matter where or how fast you drive, then upgrading the factory springs is what will also inspire more confidence and control and contribute to increased ride quality.
What are Coil Springs?
These are the most common types of springs in modern cars and work together with other suspension parts to smooth out road imperfections, absorb the weight of the car, maintain the right ride height, and keep wheels aligned and firmly on the ground. They are relatively simple designs, made of steel wire wound into a defined number of coils. Coils can assume several distinctive shapes and the coil thickness can be constant or variable depending on the application. Different brands have different takes on coil spring designs. Some, like H&R springs, have been around for quite some time and come in a range of spring types and configurations for a range of vehicles.
Why Upgrade to H&R?
This is a German brand that has existed since the 1970s. The company was born out of the collaboration of Werner Heine and Heinz Remmen and their quest for springs that could provide racing-level performance in production cars. The company’s innovative designs throughout the years have also contributed to victories in numerous racing divisions, including Formula 1, Formula 3, the German DTM Series, WRC, and others. All springs to leave H&R production lines are ISO-certified, made to the highest quality standards, and use high-tech production processes. Today, H&R springs are respected by both racing pros and enthusiasts that seek the best handling, control, and ride comfort for their cars.
H&R Product Lines
H&R specialises in lowering springs. With the car lower to the ground drivers get a lower centre of gravity. This significantly increases stability in high-speed cornering and turns, reduces body roll, maximises traction from the tyres, and creates less drag (thereby reducing fuel use). Another selling point is the lower stance and better looks. Here, the different lines offer incremental increases in performance with different lowering rates and more control the higher you go in the range.
H&R OE Sport Springs
These lower the car between 5 and 20mm to offer a slight increase in handling, steering feel, and control. Drivers also can expect more comfort over rougher roads, more stability, and springs that offer a lot for a low asking price for a complete set of four springs.
Sport Springs
These H&R springs lower vehicles between 40 and 50mm (on average), come as slightly more expensive than the entry-level OE variants, and provide a good balance of improved driving dynamics and better looks. They have a progressive rate, getting stiffer as loads increase. There’s less body roll in high-speed cornering, superior ride quality, and a car that’s more fun to drive.
Super Sport Springs
This is the best you can get for cars that will be used solely on the road. They lower the car between 45 and 60mm and do away with ungainly wheel fender gaps. The Super Sports are another progressive spring design, but come as stiffer and stronger and are suited for high-performance cars. For the price, you won’t find better-performing springs anywhere else.
Race Springs
H&R moves to red in these springs (the Sports variants are blue), to offer the best dampening and control in racing applications. Cars can be lowered by up to 62.5mm, for a lower centre of gravity, improved balance, and unrivalled handling performance. Further adjustments to wheel camber with related H&R products also maximise grip according to track characteristics.
Want More? What Else Has H&R on Offer?
You can stop here, with a guaranteed grin from ear to ear each time your H&R-fitted car gets a decent dose of speed. But, the company’s extensive racing credentials have translated into suspension springs and products that can completely transform your car. For vehicles with factory adjustable suspension, look to the ETS line to lower the car by an additional 40mm and no additional wiring work than what you already have. This setup works seamlessly with different driver modes.
If you want the benefits of adjustability and fine-tuning the ride height, choose springs from the H&R VTF line. This consists of progressive springs with lowering rates between 5 and 75mm and is completely adjustable to road conditions. These are what to get if you need the most personalisation options and a car ready for any purpose.
While springs alone will be enough for most people, hardcore racers can also go with H&R coil overs, with dual or monotube designs and adjustment capabilities not found on rivalling brands. Here too you can find several products to best suit your needs. Or go with race-specific I.D. Race Springs when only the best will do.
The Final Word
Whichever way you intend to upgrade your car, H&R has springs and suspension setups to suit your needs and your car. They also have a complete line of accessories too (lug nuts and bolts, camber adjusters, wheel bolt studs, camber plates, locating rings, and more). And tend to SUVs and 4WDs (LINK), with springs that lift the car for improved ground clearance in off-roading applications. Their core business and area of expertise though is getting your car lower, while increasing performance. handling and comfort with their wide range of lowering springs.