The braking system in the new Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG is a new development. Ventilated and perforated brake discs are fitted to both the front and rear axles. Because of the special stresses they face, the front discs feature composite technology that has been tried and tested in motor racing to help offset the temperature peaks more effectively. The front discs, measuring 390 x 36 mm, are decelerated using 6-piston aluminium fixed callipers, while the rear, measuring 360 x 26mm, use single-piston aluminium floating callipers. Grey-painted brake callipers with white AMG lettering are part of the standard equipment.
AMG ceramic composite high-performance brakes are available as an option and are recognisable thanks to the “AMG Carbon Ceramic” logo on the brake callipers. Thanks to the special materials and production technology used to manufacture the discs from carbon-fibre-reinforced ceramic in a vacuum at 1700 degrees Celsius, the ceramic discs are much harder. This not only increases the service life many times over compared with a grey cast iron disc, but also their resistance to extreme loads and heat.
The result is extremely short stopping distances, an exact pressure point and much higher fade resistance even under extreme operating conditions. The larger ceramic discs – front: 402 x 39 millimetres; rear: 360 x 32 millimetres – feature a composite design all round and are connected with a floating radial mount to an aluminium bowl.
Compared with the conventional composite brake discs, the ceramic brake discs are around 40 percent lighter. The further reduction in unsprung masses not only boosts driving dynamics and agility but also improves steering response as well as ride comfort and contact characteristics. Six-piston fixed callipers are fitted on the front axle, and single-piston callipers are used on the rear.
