Okay, we’ll admit it. We’re playing a little loose with the piston count here. Yes, the Zenvo Aurora hypercar has a total of 32 pistons, but not all of them are found in the engine. This monstrously powerful supercar needs some seriously capable brakes to help stop it from its theoretical top speed of 280 mph. To make that happen, the Danish company has announced a partnership with Alcon to supply brakes that are up to the challenge.
They hypercar’s beefy braking system is designed specifically for the Aurora and will have six pistons in each of its billet monoblock calipers up front. At the rear, each caliper will clamp down with four pistons. That adds up to 20 pistons just for the brakes, and of course, the remaining 12 come from the Aurora’s mighty engine. The result is 32 pistons in one insane car.
Most Powerful V12 Road Car Needs Healthy Stopping Power
That 12-cylinder engine is the most powerful V12 in any road car. The quad-turbo mill, developed by Mahle Powertrain, displaces 6.6-liters and makes 1,250 horsepower. With the help of the car’s hybrid system, total combined output will reach as much as 1,850 hp. That’s how Zenvo plans to achieve a ludicrous 280-mph top speed.
And that’s why Zenvo needs something other than off-the-shelf brakes. All four rotors are carbon, made with fiber-reinforced silicon carbide for extreme thermal capacity. The design also saves weight, thus improving overall vehicle performance.
“This collaboration has allowed us to develop a bespoke braking solution, leveraging our motorsport heritage and advanced technologies to meet the extreme demands of these hypercars. Together, we’ve created a system that delivers exceptional thermal capacity, consistent pedal feel, and uncompromising stopping power.”
– Steve Hodgkins, chief engineer for OEM performance applications at Alcon.
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For most cars, one or perhaps two turbochargers are enough. Some brands decided to equip their special models with four turbos, though they’re rare.
Alcon is a big deal in brakes. The British company is the go-to supplier for many companies. You’ll find their brakes on cars like the Aston Martin Valkyrie and the new Corvette ZR1X, but Alcon also caters to other genres. That includes everything Polaris UTVs to Le Mans endurance cars and even brakes for eight-wheeled armored personnel carriers.
Driver Feedback From The Brakes Is As Important As The Engine
Zenvo CTO Jon Gunner explained that horsepower is only part of the equation when creating a performance car. And it’s arguably not the most important factor.
“Delivering power is only one part of the challenge when engineering a true driver’s car. Controlling it, and making it usable on road and on track, is as important,” he said.
An 1,850-horsepower monster that comes as a track-focused model as well as a road-carving GT puts very different targets on the needs of the braking system. Gunner also said that driver engagement, feedback, and feel are all crucial to developing a car that’s not just fast, but also rewarding to drive.
The company plans to build 100 units for launch in 2026. The Aurora will be built on a modular carbon fiber chassis developed by Zenvo to allow it to shrink or expand for new models. The company promises incredible performance, including a run from 0-249 mph in just 17 seconds. For the record, that’s three seconds quicker than a Koenigsegg Regera.
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Zenvo will make two versions of the car, with the production run split between the pair. The track-focused Agil gets a massive wing for more downforce but a much lower top speed. The Tur gets the higher top speed, along with more comfort for long-distance traveling.
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