Damping device with adjustable spring rate

A motor vehicle, comprising:

• a suspension system including a spring and damping device having:
• an upper region;
• a lower region;
• a damping element arranged between the upper region and the lower region, the damping element having a center axis;
• a coil spring element;
• and
• a rubber spring element, the coil spring element and rubber spring element arranged one behind the other along the center axis of the damping element such that the coil spring element is positioned to exert a force on the rubber spring element.

A method of adjusting a spring rate in a suspension of a motor vehicle, comprising:

• receiving an input indicative of a desired spring rate;
• adjusting a pressure of at least one fluid in a spring and damping device of the suspension based on the input;
• and
• increasing or decreasing a force exerted by the device based on the change in the pressure.