From the NY Times:

June 18, 2006
Stopping Short
By SHAUN BAILEY

In its tests of new cars, Road & Track magazine routinely measures stopping distances from 60 miles an hour. The following lists include the best and worst results reported within the last four years in the magazine's Road Test Summary. All of the cars had antilock braking systems.

Modern passenger cars have such powerful brake systems that in a panic stop, when the driver slams on the brake pedal, there are two possible outcomes:

In a car without antilock brakes, the wheels will lock up. From a cruising speed of 60 m.p.h., a car with locked brakes will slide nearly 200 feet. An aware and skilled driver can avoid lock-up and modulate brake pressure to achieve distances closer to 150 feet.

In a car with antilock brakes, the distance can usually be shortened to 130 feet or less. When the antilock system is activated, a modern car's stopping distance has more to do with the tires than with the size of the brake rotors. Sedans with all-season tires do not stop as well as sports cars with high-performance tires that provide more grip.

When it was tested 21 years ago, a Honda Civic without antilock brakes stopped in 166 feet from 60 m.p.h. And while a more recent Civic EX (with an antilock system) had one of the worst performances in Road & Track tests over the last two years, it still managed, at 133 feet, an impressive 20 percent improvement over the old Honda.

It is also noteworthy that a Mazda RX-8 stops nearly as well as some superexotic sports cars. The Mazda's braking benefits from sticky tires, antilock technology and a lightweight chassis. SHAUN BAILEY



BEST
Aston Martin V-8 Vantage 107 ft.
Ferrari F430 Spider 107 ft.
Lotus Exige 107 ft.
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 107 ft.
Porsche Boxster S 107 ft.
Porsche 911 Carrera S 108 ft.
Ferrari Enzo 109 ft.
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 109 ft.
Maserati Quattroporte 109 ft.
Mazda RX-8 110 ft.

WORST
Ford Escape XLT 145 ft.
Volkswagon Passat 3.6 138 ft.
Volvo S60 T5 138 ft.
Cadillac CTS 138 ft.
Audi A3 2.0 T. 138 ft.
Mitsuibishi Eclipse GT 137 ft.
Toyota Camry Hybrid 136 ft.
Subaru Legacy GT Limited 135 ft.
Scion xB 134 ft.
Honda Civic EX 133 ft.

H

 

nice article, also if braking becomes as popular as the 1/4mile then we all made a wise purchase

 

I'm fairly certain this is what the next Fast and the Furious movie is going to be about.

 

TFTF4: Brakelight Wars

Or maybe Brakes of Fury, can't wait to see that one!

 

When the RX-8 was released, it had the best braking performance of any mass produced car EVER to come out of Japan....as tested by the Japanese Dept of Transport.

Don't think there has been anything produced in Japan since that beats it.

 

i live my life 110 feet at a time

 

For those of us living outside the 19th century. Thats 33.5 metres for the RX-8

Excellent result when you look at the RX-8's top ten company

.

 

Haha! Guys, we really got something here...

 

Don't be talkin' that jive metric system stuff. Round here we fill it up with petroleum distillate and revulcanize our tires posthaste!

 

but we alredy new that....light car and sticky tires makes quick stops just look out behind you on the freeway.

 

Within a foot of a Ferrari Enzo?

What does that work out to be in dollars/inch?

 

Dang it I thougth I had one up on the Z06, oh wait I do it stops one foot longer than it.

Uncle is always asking if I want to race his modified Z06 thing will do 3.9 0-60 ::shrug my shoulders:: "Someday (after I install the 3 rotor twin turbo setup) "

 

Most of us can't use that kind of power EXCEPT to show off. I'll take the brakes. They come in handy more often.

 

Never really thought about it before but… you're right.

 

Our brakes suck!. Damn, why couldn't Mazda put Brembos like the G35?! {sarcasm}

 

This reminds me of a show that used to be on comedy central I believe it was called "con"

Anyway this dude with his friends would go around trying to con people into doing thigns for him.
the premise of one of the episodes was he was a porno director and found people to make his movie...
As they were about to take off their clothes, hes liek cut, no no no...
This is a new direction in ****, clothes on humping!
So he makes the mvoie with them basically dry humpin..
He goes to the head quarters of one of the largest **** makers in LA, invites him and his staff to come out to a premier party.
As every1 is ready in anticipation, they show the film, and they cant believe what they see.
A **** with peoples clothes on hehe.
Bottom line is **** is about seeing people ***, and cars are about speed.
Although the braking thing is just another reason why I plan on getting the rx8

 

Assuming round prices of $800,000 and $30,000 for the Enzo and RX-8 respectively:

612 dollars/inch for the Enzo

and

22.7 dollars/inch for the RX-8.

A bargain. ...I have too much time

 

Nice!

 

Mitsubishi Eclipse...PWN3D!

 

Is he talking about the OEM Potenza's?

 

I was accelerating from a red light yesterday behind two vehicles in a typical Toronto neighbourhood and had it up to second gear almost through in intersection when SUDDENLY.....first car decides to stop because he's (she's) confused. I admit I was probably thinking about: World Cup, Stanley Cup, World Peace, Global Warming. Caught the brake lights on #2 car and hit my pedal. I've owned six cars and there isn't one of them that would have stopped me without damage. I squealed like a piggy and I felt the ABS kick in, but I stopped on OEM Potenzas. Heart rate doubled, adrenal glands dumped copious amounts of stuff into my veins and I was fine. This car saved me from at least minimal damage and probably PITA damage. Again, it's all up to the organism behind the wheel in the end.

 

That's what I've been saing along along. Some of the best brakes out there.

No need to upgrade them. Most upgrades for the 8 actually stop slower.

 

Who cares about the brakes - I bet I could take the Enzo in the twisties!

-Kabong

 

[QUOTE=Uncle is always asking if I want to race his modified Z06 thing will do 3.9 0-60 ::shrug my shoulders:: "Someday (after I install the 3 rotor twin turbo setup) "[/QUOTE]

Race him to a club, first car that transports 4 people (driver included) wins

 

While the RX-8 has some very good OEM brakes, it's not all about 60-0. There are certainly more than a few sets of aftermarket brakes out there that would be better for track driving, they may not decrease your stopping distance from 60 (some may increase it a bit), but they often have better feel and are more fade resistant.

However, I agree with you for the most part. Unless you're a hardcore track junkie then there's no need to spend thousands on an upgrade. If you need better brake feel and stopping power, some braided lines, better fluid, and some better pads will be more than enough for most weekend warriors.