Bilstein iRC Smartphone Control for B16 Ridecontrol
Bilstein's iRC announcement introduced smartphone-based damping control for B16 Ridecontrol coilover systems. It brought preset modes, customizable switching behavior, and an acceleration display into an app-based interface for the electronically controlled suspension.
Built around B16 Ridecontrol
The controller was introduced specifically for B16 Ridecontrol kits, combining their monotube dampers with app-based control. It was not presented as a universal electronic upgrade for conventional shocks or other coilovers. The announcement also placed the system in Bilstein's longer development history, dating its first monotube gas-pressure shock to 1957.
Three modes with customizable behavior
Comfort, normal, and sport were the three factory presets. Users could customize settings, save them, activate them, and share them with friends. The intended benefit was changing damping behavior to suit driving conditions or passenger preferences without replacing the suspension's mechanical components.
Acceleration displays and switching parameters
The app displayed longitudinal and lateral acceleration. Customization included acceleration thresholds, switching times, and filter parameters, giving users control over how the system responded rather than only a choice between fixed labels. Those controls concern electronic damping operation; they are not an app-based adjustment of spring length or ride height.
Automatic damping control
In automatic mode, the three-axis acceleration sensor and vehicle-speed information guide changes in damping. The system was introduced for B16 Ridecontrol, not conventional fixed dampers. Before using an existing controller, establish compatible phone software, hardware and installation requirements; mechanical ride-height changes still require work on the coilover assembly.
Photos and diagrams
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
Was iRC intended for every Bilstein coilover?
No. The announcement identifies B16 Ridecontrol as the suspension system it was designed to control.
Does the smartphone app change ride height?
The functions adjust damping modes and switching behavior, not mechanical ride-height settings.
