2017 PACE Awards

2017 - PACE Award Winner

What: MK C1 electronically controlled braking

Innovation: Because newer vehicles provide little or no vacuum power to operate braking, Continental developed a vacuumless approach that integrates the tandem master cylinder, brake booster and modulation system in a one-box package. The system requires fewer components and allows for a tunable brake pedal.

First Customer: Alfa Romeo

Judge's Citation: Continental has developed the first electronically controlled braking system called the MK C1. It is faster, lighter and simpler than conventional systems. As new, highly efficient diesel, gasoline and hybrid-electric powertrains have limited or no vacuum, this approach addresses the need for efficient braking. It simplifies installation by reducing components with significant packaging (250+ cubic inches) and weight reduction of three to four kilograms, or a 30-40 percent reduction.

In addition, the MK C1 braking system responds to the requirement of advanced driver assistance systems to react more quickly than traditional vacuum systems. It has built-in autonomous braking capability by decoupling the driver brake and providing tunable pedal feel. Also, the new Continental vacuum-less "by-wire" braking can fit in the same under-the-hood location as other systems and reacts more quickly.

Web site: www.continental-automotive.com