Continental has unveiled an innovative electronic brake control system designed specifically for the Bugatti Bolide—a 1,600-horsepower hypercar purpose-built for the track. The Bolide, known for its extreme power and engineering, now benefits from an anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and traction control system (TCS) developed through Continental Engineering Services’ (CES) Motorsports ABS Kit. This advanced braking technology not only enhances control for professional drivers but also provides unprecedented safety for less experienced enthusiasts venturing into high-speed racing.
Originally conceived as a concept based on the Bugatti Chiron, the Bolide is now slated for a limited run of 40 units. CES, which has a longstanding partnership with Bugatti, collaborated closely on this project to push braking technology into new territory. According to Bugatti’s chief engineer Christian Willmann, the Bolide is the first hypercar to integrate ESC with carbon-carbon brakes, resulting in unmatched performance and precision. The brake system, capable of responding to extreme physical forces, ensures reliable deceleration of the 1,600 kg hypercar, allowing it to safely manage up to 2.5 g of deceleration on the racetrack.
The control system’s adaptability is also a testament to CES’s engineering prowess. Designed with five customizable driving modes, the system tailors braking and stability functions to match track conditions, tire temperature, and driver preference. With input directly accessible on the steering wheel, drivers can easily transition between pure racing settings and more electronically assisted options, ensuring safe handling across diverse track scenarios.
CES’s team of engineers, including active racing professionals, brought unique insights to the system’s development. Working alongside Bugatti’s drivers, they fine-tuned the software algorithms to optimize braking performance and integrate seamlessly with the Bolide’s carbon-carbon brakes and specialized racing tires. This system, developed in under a year, underscores CES’s commitment to redefining the capabilities of motorsport technology while ensuring that the Bolide’s extreme power remains accessible and controlled, regardless of driver experience.
Elizabeth Puckett