For a car, being able to accelerate quickly is a testament to its capability, but being able to brake effectively is a guarantee of that capability. A car without a braking system is like a wild horse out of control—no one dares to approach it, and those who do wouldn’t dare to gallop. Therefore, effective braking is crucial for drivers in daily use, especially in emergency situations. Compared to similarly sized gasoline cars, pure electric vehicles generally have a higher weight, which requires them to have stronger braking performance under the same conditions to ensure safety for both the driver and passengers.
Today, we'll use the XPeng P7's braking system as an example to see if an electric vehicle can truly be safe and reliable.
The front braking system of the XPeng P7 uses the high-performance Brembo braking system, equipped with fixed four-piston calipers. What does this mean?
Let's start with Brembo. It's an Italian brand specializing in the engineering, development, and manufacturing of high-performance braking systems and components. Car enthusiasts familiar with sports cars will recognize Brembo, as high-end cars like Ferrari F1. Aston Martin, Chevrolet, Maserati, and Porsche are all equipped with Brembo braking systems. Brembo is undoubtedly a top player in the automotive braking field and is also a "celebrity" in the car modification community. The use of such a high-performance braking system in the XPeng P7 undoubtedly ensures its braking performance.
Now, let's talk about the four-piston calipers. As we know, the more pistons a brake caliper has, the greater, more stable, and smoother the braking force. Most household cars with disc brakes use standard single-piston calipers, while car enthusiasts often upgrade to four-piston or even six-piston calipers during modifications. Although expensive, these upgrades offer stronger rigidity, quicker response, and shorter braking distances. Compared to traditional floating calipers, fixed calipers increase the contact area with the brake pads and effectively improve heat dissipation.
The XPeng P7's front and rear brake discs are also from Brembo, featuring ventilated disc designs that dissipate heat quickly and offer advantages like wear resistance and corrosion resistance. This means that even under repeated braking, the system maintains excellent stability. The entire braking system provides outstanding performance, meeting the sensitivity and stability required for braking at high speeds in a sports sedan, thereby offering drivers and passengers a strong sense of safety.
Furthermore, in tests of the heaviest 2.4-ton version of the XPeng P7. the braking distance from 100 km/h was only 36 meters. This level of performance ranks among the top performers in traditional gasoline cars, capable of handling various sudden emergencies. Drivers who have test-driven the P7 may have noticed how it feels effortlessly controlled when braking.
Lastly, in terms of brake assist systems, the XPeng P7 uses Bosch's second-generation iBooster, which responds quickly and sensitively, providing drivers with excellent pedal feel. Additionally, the P7 is equipped with the latest product from Bosch's ESP9.3 platform, which offers stronger control over vehicle stability. This system can provide rapid intervention when the vehicle is nearing a loss of control, helping to keep the car stable and safe.
In conclusion, thanks to the Brembo high-performance braking system, fixed four-piston calipers, ventilated disc design, and Bosch’s second-generation iBooster, the XPeng P7 not only accelerates quickly but also brakes effectively. Its braking performance is more than sufficient to provide safety and protection for both drivers and passengers.
