Continental has developed an advanced electronic brake control system for the Bugatti Bolide, a high-performance hypercar designed solely for racetrack use. This system, which includes an anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and a traction control system (TCS), is based on Continental’s “Motorsports ABS Kit” and tailored to the Bolide’s exceptional performance. The car, originally a concept based on the Bugatti Chiron, is limited to just 40 units. It boasts 1,600 horsepower, requiring sophisticated systems to ensure safety and control for both professional racers and less experienced drivers.
Continental Engineering Services (CES), the development arm behind this system, has a long history of collaborating with Bugatti, particularly on the Chiron and Veyron. This project stands out because it integrates complex hardware and software components into a racing car, a category typically not designed with advanced driving dynamics systems. Christian Willmann, Bugatti’s chief engineer for the Bolide, highlighted the unique combination of ESC and carbon-carbon brakes in this project, marking a breakthrough in both performance and safety for the hypercar.
CES’s extensive experience in motorsports, along with their prior work on the Veyron and Chiron models, was essential in adapting their Motorsports ABS for the Bolide. The challenge was to ensure that the car, with its immense power, could be controlled safely by any driver. The vehicle’s high acceleration and braking forces required precise management to maintain safe handling. The integrated systems—ABS, ESC, and TCS—work together to ensure optimal braking, stability, and traction in various driving conditions.
The brake control system allows for five distinct driving modes that can be adjusted directly from the steering wheel, depending on the driver’s preference and the track conditions. These modes range from pure racing performance to more gradual adjustments that make the car easier to handle for less experienced drivers. The system also accounts for varying brake balances and tire conditions, ensuring the car performs consistently, whether the tires are cold or have been warmed up during a few laps on the track.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the brake control system is its ability to handle extreme physical forces. With decelerations up to 2.5 g, the Bolide’s braking performance is unparalleled, even at top speeds of 380 km/h. The aerodynamic forces at these speeds also had to be factored into the system’s design. Despite its complexity, the system is lightweight, weighing under two kilograms, and can operate seamlessly even in extreme racing conditions. CES developed this high-performance system within a year, making it one of the fastest-turnaround projects in motorsports engineering.
