INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC and SANLUIS Rassini® were awarded the Popular Mechanics 2008 Editor’s Choice Award for the new R4Tech™ hybrid air/leaf suspension system.

The award, presented by Popular Mechanics during the 2008 SEMA Show, recognizes new products that exemplify innovation, design and engineering.  R4Tech, which replaces the factory leaf spring suspension, features a SANLUIS Rassini leaf-spring suspension design and a high-quality Firestone Ride-Rite™ air spring, positioned in a unique architecture to create a fully functional system that adjusts for varying load capacities.  The suspension system delivers an improved ride at all times by utilizing the variable spring rate of the air spring that stiffens when the truck is loaded and softens when unloaded.

“Firestone – the official distributor of R4Tech to the automotive industry – and Rassini are honored to receive this award from the expert editors of Popular Mechanics magazine,” said Bill Niaura, light duty aftermarket manager, Firestone Industrial Products Company.

Tony Berlingieri, aftermarket business manager, Sanluis Rassini, added:  “By combining the Rassini design with Firestone’s leading air springs, we have developed a premier suspension system designed to reduce the road’s impact on passengers, cargo and trailers.  The improved design of R4Tech increases axle control during acceleration and braking for improved torque management and reduced wheel hop.”

R4Tech allows the suspension to move under variable load conditions, therefore isolating and absorbing road impact for passengers and cargo alike.  Plus, less steel in the system reduces weight in the vehicle and improves fuel economy.

The complete R4Tech system comes with the Rassini foundation suspension – including leaf plates, lower trailing link, J-spring, spring perches and mounting brackets – the Airide™ air spring and an air compressor control system, which maintains proper air level in the spring and returns the truck to level for the exact load you’re carrying.  In addition, the system can release air from the air springs to lower the bed height, therefore assisting in the loading and unloading of the truck as well as connecting a trailer or fifth wheel.  Professional installation is recommended

About Firestone:

Firestone’s Complete Suspension Solutions, which include Ride-Rite™, Sport-Rite™ and Level-Rite™ air helper springs, as well as their complete line of air accessory systems, have become synonymous with quality, durability and outstanding customer support.  For more information, visit www.ride-rite.com.

Firestone Industrial Products, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Firestone Diversified Products (BFDP), specializes in air spring manufacturing and technology with a history of more than 65 years of research and development of technologically advanced air springs for the global marketplace.  With headquarters in Indianapolis, Ind., and quality-certified manufacturing/assembly plants and technical centers throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia, the company produces suspension products for commercial trucks & trailers, cars, sport utility vehicles, light trucks, minivans, vans and motor homes.  Firestone facilities are ISO-14001, ISO-9001 and TS-16949 Certified. 

About SANLUIS Rassini:

SANLUIS Rassini® is the world’s largest designer and manufacturer of leaf springs for light vehicles, a leader in the NAFTA and Brazilian markets, and also a key designer and manufacturer of high-tech brake system components in North America.  Its components are used in different platforms, such as high performance options as well as light and commercial vehicles.  SANLUIS Rassini has seven production sites strategically distributed in the U.S., Mexico and Brazil; a technical center in Michigan; headquarters in Mexico City; and liaison offices in Stuttgart, Germany, and Shanghai, China.  The company is ISO/TS-16949, Clean Industry and ISO-14001 Certified.  For more information, visit www.sanluisrassini.com.