The history of the automotive industry is filled with innovative concepts that failed to take off. One such idea is a distinctive type of brake developed by Audi, which provided remarkable stopping power for its time. While they performed their intended function, they also faced significant drawbacks that ultimately led to their decline.
These brakes, commonly referred to as “UFO” brakes, were designed by Audi in collaboration with brake manufacturer ATE for the Audi V8, which was introduced in 1988 as the successor to the Audi 5000. The V8 was notable for its many advancements, including a 3.6-liter all-aluminum twin-cam V8 engine and variable all-wheel drive, which helped it secure two consecutive DTM championships in 1990 and 1991. However, during its development, Audi discovered that the V8 lacked sufficient braking power, as reported by FCP Euro. The sedan’s 15-inch wheels could not accommodate larger disc brakes, and carbon brakes were still mainly suitable for high-performance race cars. To enhance the V8’s braking capabilities, Audi needed to creatively rethink the design—leading to the innovative “UFO” brakes.
The innovative design involved extending the hubs on the V8, allowing for a unique brake disc arrangement. Instead of attaching the rotor hat to the inner diameter of the rotor, Audi mounted it offset and expanded it to connect at the rotor’s outer edge. This clever modification allowed for a brake caliper to be positioned inside the rotor, which in turn freed up space outside, enabling a rotor diameter of 12.2 inches—larger than the 11.1-inch rotors found in the contemporary Porsche 911, as noted by Quattro World.
Consequently, the Audi V8’s brakes boasted an unusually extensive friction surface and larger brake pad, which enhanced heat dissipation and significantly minimized brake fade. The larger rotor also provided better leverage, reducing the force needed at the brake pedal to achieve a stop. Audi’s innovation functioned impeccably, and the company was so pleased that it even implemented this brake design in the original S4 in select markets.
However, novel designs often come with new challenges, and the “UFO” brakes were no exception. Their unique configuration, confined to a limited range of Audi models, led to high production costs, with Carbitrage reporting that each rotor cost about $550. In comparison, standard rotors were priced at around $100 each at Audi dealerships. Additionally, owners faced the inconvenience of more frequent rotor replacements due to a tendency for the UFO brakes to warp under standard driving conditions, caused by uneven heating and cooling. The unusual design also gave the perception that they were heavier and posed maintenance challenges, compromising both performance and ease of upkeep.
Perhaps one of the oddest drawbacks was the public perception of the brakes’ appearance. Positioned prominently behind the Audi V8’s standard alloy wheels, which were a symbol of prestige in the late ’80s and early ’90s, many felt that the UFO brakes made the car look as if it were equipped with cheap steel wheels.
Ultimately, the UFO brakes faded from view along with the Audi V8 itself, which was discontinued in 1994. The S4 and other models returned to conventional disc brakes, which had increased in size as larger wheels became more practical during the late 1990s. Today, Aurdi V8s featuring the original UFO brakes are becoming increasingly rare, not only due to the general decline of older cars.
The scarcity of replacement parts, combined with high costs and the persistent braking issues of UFO brakes, have led many owners to transition their vehicles to standard brakes, mirroring Audi’s own shift. Consequently, sightings of UFO brakes have become a rarity, and they are certainly worth capturing in a photograph should you ever come across them. Otherwise, people might dismiss your claims as a mere optical illusion.
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