Ceramic brakes for the 12-cylinder Audi A8

[zerinVR6]

Audi is presenting a new braking technology destined for its series production debut. The brand's flagship model, the 12-cylinder A8, will in future be available with ceramic brakes as an option. As well as quadrupling brake service life compared to conventional steel discs, the new brakes also offer outstanding braking power, even when the car is being driven to its limit, as well as supreme resistance to fading. The far lower weight also heralds benefits in terms of ride comfort and handling characteristics by reducing the unsprung masses.

The brake discs are made from reinforced ceramic, a material which has already proven itself many times over in the field of aeronautical and aerospace engineering. The ceramic material's composite structure is made up firstly of silicon carbide, an extremely hard and abrasion-resistant base material with a crystal structure similar to that of diamond. The high-strength carbon fibres which are then embedded in this base material are able to absorb the stresses that occur in it.

The high-tech material offers a whole spectrum of benefits. The most visually apparent of these is its insusceptibility to corrosion; no signs of rust formation will be found on a ceramic brake disc. The sporty looks, featuring distinctive perforation patterns and red brake callipers, also add eye-catching styling touches.

The technical benefits have an even greater impact: first, there is the weight-saving of some five kilograms, or around 50 percent, per wheel. The result is a clear reduction in the unsprung masses at the wheels, which in turn makes the ride even more comfortable. The vehicle's handling characteristics are also enhanced by the brake unit's lower weight.