Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Brake assist system mandatory from February 2011

Brake assist systems will become mandatory in the EU for all new vehicles from February 24, 2011. Hence, we may soon expect new brake systems on Morgans.

Harald

Can someone explain what the Brake Assist System is please.

David

If the driver makes a sudden brake, the system "intelligently" assumes that emergency braking is called for and applies maximum braking power. The system shortens brake distances since many drivers apply full braking too slowly in emergency situations. The system is used together with ABS to prevent loss of control.

I am not sure all Morgan drivers will like this system...

Harald

My understanding is that it's an integral part of ABS (where fitted). So whereas ABS will cadence brake when a wheel slips (or not brake at all on ice........... ) the brake assist applies extra pressure extra fast if it senses a quick pedal press. My Golf has this and I suspect most moderns above a certain demographic/price have it. I wouldn't want antilock brakes on a Trad - it rather misses the point.
As has been said before, the days of the trad as we know it are limited.

tradition should not exclude progress

I thought that Dave's explanation is on the metal. For Trads, though, it is probably a heavy size 9 boot (maybe with Graham's Steel Toecaps).
Good Old Interfering EU. Just don't drive too close to any of these 'Modern Cars with Brake Assist' thingies. Or, is the idea to 'write off all of the oldies in front end shunts, free of charge.
It would be better to ban all of these, wide bodied, blanked out window, monsters to allow us small guys at the back to see traffic slowing ahead of these new 'late breakers'.

Better progress and safer road conditions would result from teaching people to DRIVE, not just teaching them to pass a driving test... And, controversially perhaps, re-examining their driving at regular intervals, rather than just making the cars do every thing for them, so they think even less about what they are doing - piloting a lethal weapon...

Says he who is grateful for the driver's airbag and engineering of a nearly new VW Golf some years ago

Cheers,

I can't wait! Couple this to Volvo's automatic braking system and there will never be any need to take your foot off the loud pedal. Just let the electronics sort it out.

Just another nail in the coffin of actually trying to persuade people that driving is a skill that needs concentration & practise.

There are even plans of coupling the ECU to a mandatory GPS system in order to prevent speeding: The car will refuse to break the speed limit. In the Netherlands the GPS will track how many miles you drive and give you road tax accordingly.

Harald

I have the brake assist in the Phaeton, it has saved my bacon once as I tend to be in a hurry on occasion. I thought I could brake hard but it knew better and it did. At 2+ tons I was amazed at how much additional retardation was available and nearly had steering wheel for lunch despite sitting well back.

It only came in during a real emergency and I have never noticed it prior to this despite doing some supposedly late braking moments. As with all of these gizmos it needs to be setup by a serious pedant to integrate well.

Back to the old days of having "disc brakes fitted" signs on the back of your car due to everyone else having drums and needing to be aware you could seriously outbrake them. I guess it could be the same again ?

Well us poor fleshy things do need protecting from ourselves after all. I know I trust computers a lot more since Mr Gates took over the world. http://www.flickr.com/photos/secretlondon/3518952247/

They can make a cleaning robot that uses lifts now you know.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/02/elevator-operating-robot-janitor-goes-on-sale-in-japan/

....driving a car fully for you along random routes should be along in about another 30 years at this accelerated rate of progress.