Stopping a car is perhaps the most important aspect, outweighing all other technical parameters. The ability to brake in time can prevent an accident, save the body, bumper, and lights. Think about it: do you know how many meters your car needs to come to a complete stop? Most likely, nine out of ten drivers not only don't remember this figure but have never even thought about it. Moreover, few motorists really imagine how large or small a distance of 30 or 40 meters is during emergency braking from 100 km/h.
It is telling that even traffic police officers are not always aware of the real braking distance figures. In reports, you can find statements like "the braking distance of a Lanos was 18 meters at a speed of about 100 km/h." To understand the absurdity of such information, it is enough to know that even the hypercar Bugatti Veyron stops from 100 km/h in 31.4 meters.
To clarify this issue, AvtoPortal decided to look into the intricacies of braking distance.
How to find out the braking distance
Given how critical this characteristic is, it is strange that automakers prefer to hide it. They almost never publish braking distance data for their production models.
The rare exceptions are only sports cars or vehicles that demonstrate outstanding performance in their class. For example, the Renault Clio RS, which AvtoPortal tested, can boast the best braking distance in its segment — 35 meters.
In other cases, obtaining this data is almost impossible. The only source is independent testing conducted by specialized publications and expert organizations. Simply put, no one will officially tell you the braking distance of, say, a Lanos.
Why?
It is logical to assume that automakers should not have problems publishing this information. If they easily measure acceleration dynamics and indicate fuel consumption (read about how this is done in AvtoPortal's article on official fuel consumption), then why not also indicate the braking distance? The question remains open.
Perhaps the reason is that only a small percentage of buyers are interested in this figure when choosing a car. It is also possible that measurements require complex and lengthy tests, and the results strongly depend on external conditions. Rain, snow, temperature, humidity, wind, tire type — all of this affects the result. Although, on the other hand, the same factors play a decisive role in measuring acceleration!
The conclusion is obvious: manufacturers most likely conduct internal tests but publish results only if they are impressive. This was indirectly confirmed by the press service of AvtoVAZ, which gave the following response to our request:
"AvtoVAZ has in-house standards regulating acceptable indicators for certain vehicle characteristics. The disclosure or non-disclosure of testing data is determined by legal requirements and the vehicle certification process."
We also addressed this question to four Ukrainian car importers, but at the time of publication, none of them could provide a clear answer about the possibility of disclosing braking distance data for their models.
Are there standards
Despite the silence of manufacturers, in the European Union there is an unofficial quality standard ISO 9001, according to which a car is considered dangerous if it cannot stop within 40 meters on dry asphalt when braking from 100 km/h. And most cars in Ukraine are like this. The vast majority. Take, for example, the ZAZ Lanos. This model has many modifications with different brake designs and efficiency. Nevertheless, some data can be obtained.
Test by "Autoreview" Lanos 1.5 86 hp without ABS (sedan)
Braking distance from 100 km/h — 46.5 m
Test by "Za Rulem" Lanos 1.5 86 hp without ABS (hatchback)
Braking distance from 100 km/h — 48.2 m
It is important to note that the tests were conducted on cars without ABS. This suggests that with an anti-lock braking system, the results would be significantly better. Although even such figures are quite respectable for a budget car without ABS. There are many examples where cars without ABS brake better than competitors with this system. For instance, according to "Autoreview," the Geely CK with ABS+EBD requires almost 4 meters more to come to a complete stop from 100 km/h than the Lanos without ABS.
We must also mention the Renault Duster, which failed braking tests conducted by the French publication L'Automobile Magazine. It needed 46 meters to stop from 100 km/h. In 2010, similar tests were failed by the Renault Koleos and Mitsubishi ASX. The German publication Autobild also published its list of cars with poor braking dynamics. It turned out that even very expensive cars cannot always boast effective brakes:
Lexus RX 450h (41.2 m)
Honda Jazz and Honda CR-V third generation (41.3 m)
Dodge Nitro (41.4 m)
Suzuki Alto, Citroen C1 and Daihatsu Cuore (42 meters)
Nissan X-Trail (42.4 m)
Suzuki Grand Vitara (42.5 m)
Mitsubishi Pajero (42.6 m)
Hyundai ix55 (42.7 m)
Mitsubishi L200 (43.4 m)
Dacia/Renault Duster (43.8 m — apparently, the Germans "brake" better than the French)
Mercedes G-klasse (47 m)
Suzuki Jimny (48.3 m)
Niva Lada 4x4 (48.6 m)
Land Rover Defender (53.5 m)
Leaders
As for cars with the best braking dynamics, the vast majority are supercars and hypercars of limited production (Bugatti Veyron, Koenigsegg, etc.). But among the best there are also relatively production models that, although not affordable, can still be seen on the roads of our country.
Here is the TOP-25 production cars (with Brembo brakes) with the best braking distance:
What affects braking distance
Modern cars are equipped with many systems that help reduce braking distance — these are ABS and various emergency braking assistants. AvtoPortal will tell about them in a separate article, but now we will consider how the condition of the road surface affects braking dynamics.
The braking distance directly depends on speed, road condition, the serviceability of the brake system, and other parameters. For example, at a speed of 30 km/h during sharp braking, a passenger car travels about 10 meters. When the speed doubles to 60 km/h, the braking distance increases fourfold and is already 40 meters. The stopping distance increases significantly on slippery surfaces — in rain or snow.
The key role is played by the coefficient of tire adhesion to the road, which changes depending on weather and temperature:
- loose snow (density 0.06-0.20 g/cm3, adhesion coefficient 0.20);
- compacted snow or packed snow (density 0.30-0.60 g/cm3, adhesion coefficient 0.10-0.25);
- ice — film (thickness up to 3 mm) or crust (thickness up to 10 mm) with an adhesion coefficient of 0.08-0.15
No matter how expensive and technologically advanced (or vice versa) your car is, remember the laws of physics and the adhesion coefficient — this is especially important in winter.
