The sporty front-wheel drive cars are equipped with exceptionally powerful brake systems from Continental Automotive Systems. The cooperation goes back many years.

Frankfurt am Main, Germany, December 13, 2005. Short stopping distances, no fading, perfect brake pedal feedback, brake assist and ESC for driver support – these are the features of the brake systems supplied by Continental Automotive Systems for the sporty top-of-the-line models from Ford, the Fiesta and Focus series. Building on the components developed for this platform, the Continental brake specialists adapted the wheel brakes, brake booster and the ESC for the driving performance and the dynamic potential of the 150 HP Ford Fiesta ST and the Focus ST with its 225 horsepower five-cylinder turbocharged engine. This allows these front-wheel drive vehicles to live up to their type designation in active safety as well. After all, ST stands for “Sports Technology” at Ford.

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As a brake system supplier for all engine versions of Fiesta and Focus as well as numerous Mazda and Volvo models, Continental Automotive Systems was involved early in the development work for the new premium class sport cars. “The goal was to equip the new ST models with brake systems that represent a perfect complement to the temperament of the engines," is how Rolf-Dieter Betzer, Customer Chief Engineer Ford Group at Continental Automotive Systems, looks back at the development work. For more than 20 years, Ford has relied on the expertise of the world’s leading automotive supplier for its particularly fast cars. "The brake systems of the Fiesta XR2, the Escort XR3 and RS, the Sierra XR4 and the Cosworth versions of the Sierra and Scorpio had important components from us such as front wheel brake calipers, brake actuation and ABS,” says Betzer in naming the highlights.

Software tuning for the chassis: ESC adapted to driving behavior

To give the handling of the Fiesta ST and the new Focus ST a particularly sporty touch, Ford modified the springs and shocks as well as the stabilizers. This results in very sporty and agile handling. Continental Automotive Systems adapted the ESC software of the two ST vehicles to this concept. Of course, the top priority is safety: If a specific threshold is exceeded, the ESC intervenes gently but effectively. In the Fiesta ST and in the Focus ST, active wheel speed sensors and ESC sensors from Continental Automotive Systems supply the necessary data for optimal TCS, ABS and ESC interventions of the efficient brake system MK60.

Generously dimensioned brakes have a strong bite

The wheel brakes were also adapted to the improved driving performance. In the front wheels of the Fiesta ST, type FN brake calipers take a firm grip on the 278 millimeter diameter and 25 millimeter thick discs. In the Focus ST the front wheel brakes are even larger: The compact design of the Continental Automotive Systems type FNRG 57 high-performance calipers make it possible to use 320 millimeter diameter, 25 millimeter thick ventilated brake discs. Size 225/40 R 18 W ContiSportContact 2 tires complete Continental’s contribution to the Focus ST’s outstanding driving dynamics.

The Continental Corporation is a leading supplier of brake systems, chassis components, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers. In 2004 the corporation realized sales of € 12.6 billion. At present it has a worldwide workforce of more than 81,000.

As a worldwide leading technology partner to the automotive industry, the Automotive Systems division of Continental AG integrates extensive know-how in the fields of driving safety, powertrain and comfort. In 2004 the division achieved sales of approx. € 5 billion with a workforce of more than 22,500. Automotive Systems incorporates Continental Teves and Continental Temic. Continental Teves develops and produces electronic and hydraulic brake, stability and chassis control systems, as well as electronic air spring systems and sensors. Continental Temic is a specialist in chassis electronics, engine management and transmission control units, as well as electric drives and comfort electronics.