After gathering huge amounts of data from the brakes, the transmission, and several other electronic systems, Caza explains, SBC performs "highly complex calculations to make rapid brake commands which ensure optimum deceleration and driving stability as appropriate to the particular driving scenario."
What makes the system even more sophisticated, she adds, is that SBC calculates the brake force separately for each wheel and delivers the response faster than traditional systems ever could. And full braking power is available even when the engine is switched off.
Among the other benefits of SBC, Caza includes:
- The stopping distance of an SBC-equipped sports car from 120 km/h is cut by around three per cent compared to a car featuring conventional braking technology
- When there is a risk of swerving in an emergency, SBC works with the Electronic Stability Program (i.e. the active handling package) by delivering even faster and more accurate braking impulses to "stabilize early and comfortably a vehicle which is about to break away"
- When braking in corners, SBC offers the possibility of assigning brake forces in a way appropriate to the situation, Caza says, providing greater pressure at the outer wheels less power to the inside wheels and deliver more stable braking
- There are no pedal vibrations when the anti-lock brakes operate, making it less likely that surprised drivers will ease up on braking because they think something's wrong