HKS’s new Hypermax S adopts a flat ride concept and is said to enhance ride comfort and handling stability for the GR86 through increased front suspension travel and a completely revised damping-force design.
After the original model launched in 2021, the Hypermax S underwent a full model change this February. While retaining its basic concept of accommodating everything from street driving to winding roads, the new model is said to have been thoroughly revised.
The new model shifts away from the previous ride-comfort design, which prioritised driving performance. By building damping force from the very low-speed range, it suppresses unnecessary body movement and emphasises a flat ride that pursues a stable vehicle attitude. For the GR86, front suspension travel has been increased to reduce impacts from the road surface, and the vehicle is reported to provide more natural, easily understood behaviour during acceleration, deceleration and cornering.
The test vehicle was an supercharged GR86 that generated 297 PS with the GT2 kit. Its intake and exhaust systems combined a cold-air intake with the High Power Spec LII. The vehicle was fitted with Advan Racing wheels and Endless brakes, while the installation of the Body Kit Type S is said to have improved its overall performance balance.
The vehicle’s detailed features include smoother rebound performance from the dual preload valve system, WR needles in the 30-step damping-force adjustment mechanism, and dedicated springs made from high-quality materials using a cold-forming process. These design elements are presented as seeking to balance ride comfort and driving performance. The front camber-adjustable pillow upper mounts and Advanced Bump Rubber Plus are also said to contribute to the balance between comfort and handling.