Magneti Marelli Parts & Services offers a complete range of shock absorbers and cutting-edge solutions for next-generation vehicles

Magneti Marelli Parts & Services offers an increasingly comprehensive and sophisticated range of shock absorbers, featuring a constantly updated portfolio of original-equipment quality or equivalent products designed to meet the needs of almost the entire European passenger car and light commercial vehicle market. This enables the company to support even the latest models, including those from Chinese manufacturers such as MG and Chery, whose growing presence in Europe requires immediate availability of aftermarket components.

The Magneti Marelli Parts & Services shock absorbers range includes core architectures to cover every vehicle application—from high-volume models to premium vehicles—and incorporates both gas and hydraulic shock absorbers. The range covers:

¬ Twin-tube shock absorbers: Classic architecture with a working tube and concentric reserve tube, ideal for standard urban and interurban applications. The presence of nitrogen gas in the reserve tube minimizes oil cavitation and ensures consistent response under varying operating conditions.

¬ Mono-tube shock absorbers: Featuring a gas-oil separation and high-efficiency design, they deliver constant damping and excellent heat dissipation. These are suited for both sports and compact cars, where precise response, durability, and manufacturing efficiency are required. For compact cars, the reduced weight and simple construction are additional advantages.

¬ Structural shock absorbers: Integrate damping with structural support, directly supporting the vehicle load and transferring longitudinal (braking/acceleration) and lateral (cornering) forces to the chassis. These represent the majority of applications in mid-range European vehicles.

Shock absorbers maintain tire-to-road contact, enhance load transfer control, and enable full performance from ABS and ESP systems. Worn shock absorbers can increase braking distances by up to 20% and compromise handling. Replacement is recommended every 80,000 km or upon symptoms such as oil leakage, rod corrosion, poor road holding, or uneven tire wear.

— OE technology and performance for the aftermarket

Magneti Marelli Parts & Services draws directly on the knowledge and expertise of Marelli’s Ride Dynamics division, which is dedicated to the development and production of suspension systems and shock absorbers for OEM applications. With 15 manufacturing plants, eight R&D centers, and a presence across four continents, Ride Dynamics develops solutions for major global automotive manufacturers, transferring high-quality standards to the aftermarket range.

This OE engineering integration ensures that Magneti Marelli Parts & Services shock absorbers benefit from manufacturing processes validated to OEM standards, original-spec materials and surface treatments (chrome plating, sealing compounds, fluids), OE-grade testing and validation protocols, and ongoing updates in line with industry technological evolution.

Currently available innovations include:

¬ HS (Hydraulic Stop): Progressive hydraulic bump stop system prevents damage to bodywork and suspension components under extreme conditions. Especially relevant for vehicles operating on poor road surfaces or with variable loads.

¬ FSD (Frequency Selective Damping): Frequency-selective valve differentiates shock absorber response between low-frequency (roll and pitch control for enhanced handling) and high-frequency (vibration reduction and superior comfort) inputs. This enables independent optimization of road holding and ride comfort—an increasingly requested feature for modern vehicles.

¬ SDC (Smart Damping Control System): Semi-active shock absorbers with electronic control that instantly adapts damping to vehicle speed, longitudinal/lateral accelerations, and road conditions, as detected by onboard sensors. This technology is available in premium segments and is increasingly adopted in upper-medium segments. For workshops, aftermarket SDC component availability presents new opportunities to build loyalty among high-end customers.

¬ Lifter System: Hydraulic axle lift for vehicles with lowered suspensions, enabling safe navigation of ramps, steep speed bumps, and potholes while protecting spoilers and underbody components. Typically applied to sports cars, GTs, and vehicles outfitted with aerodynamic kits.

— Innovation in motion: the future of suspension

Ongoing investment by Marelli in R&D for original equipment is shaping the future direction of suspension technology. Two advanced solutions currently in development for OE applications represent the next-generation of suspension systems:

Semi Active Smart Single Valve e-Shock: Developed on the patented LeanRide platform, these shock absorbers offer superior performance in reactivity, stability, customizable driving style, and comfort. Their unique triple-tube architecture, precision pistons, and single external electro-hydraulic valve deliver up to 200% better compression performance versus traditional systems and reduce overall vehicle weight by up to 1.2 kg. Adaptive damping ensures optimal comfort, instantly reacting to road conditions and smoothing out bumps and potholes. Full customization of valve orientation makes the e-Shock suitable for a wide range of chassis layouts. The scalable design allows upgrade from “entry” to “smart” via software, with no need for hardware changes.

Full Active Electromechanical Suspension: This system employs one electromechanical actuator for each corner—with no hydraulic fluid required. Smart sensors and advanced control units manage roll, pitch, yaw, and vibrations in real time, optimizing comfort, safety, and driving dynamics. Electric motors in the rotary actuators recover up to 80% of the energy needed to operate the system. A 48-volt electrical circuit integrated into the vehicle's power network stores recovered energy and provides power to the shock absorber actuators. The combination of energy recuperation and oil-free operation enhances system sustainability. The high-level innovation of this technology was recently recognized with the prestigious Automotive News PACE Pilot Award which is awarded to solutions with the potential to be mobility game changers.

The deployment of these technologies in the OE market will set the stage for their future availability in the aftermarket, following the natural maturity cycle of advanced vehicle components.

For Magneti Marelli Parts & Services, direct involvement in these development programs ensures alignment and preparedness for rapid industry evolution. As these technologies enter the vehicle parc, our aftermarket division stands ready to support workshops with components, technical expertise, and specialist training.

— A trusted partner for vehicle repair

Magneti Marelli Parts & Services provides complete solutions for next-generation technologies, including air suspension systems. The product range features air and oil-gas shock absorbers, air springs, and—thanks to a recent range expansion—compressors, which are crucial for managing vehicle ride height. The Magneti Marelli Parts & Services air suspension offering is thus comprehensive, enabling workshops to perform all necessary interventions in-house and minimize vehicle downtime.

For customers seeking complete and long-lasting protection for their shock absorbers, Magneti Marelli Parts & Services provides a selection of protection kits (including dust boots and bump stops) designed to preserve shock absorbers and ensure their maximum longevity. Proper protection of the chromed rod and seals prevents contaminants from entering—the main cause of premature wear and oil leaks. For workshops, systematically offering the protection kit during shock absorber replacement represents a valuable upselling opportunity, recognized by end customers.

With its advanced products and services, Magneti Marelli Parts & Services stands out as a leading partner for professional vehicle repair. The combination of an extensive and updated product portfolio, state-of-the-art suspension technologies, and Marelli’s expertise enables customers to successfully meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving market. Magneti Marelli Parts & Services not only guarantees quality and innovation, but also delivers solutions designed for the future of mobility, supporting workshops and technicians along a continuous path of growth and development. Choosing Magneti Marelli Parts & Services means relying on a brand that constantly invests in research, development, and training, providing everything necessary to ensure safety, performance, and reliability.