The kings of high performance brakes have out-done themselves. Just days before SEMA, eurotuner was invited to Race Technologies (the North American distributor) to preview Brembo’s latest brake offering – the GT-R line.
Although named GT-R, they have no relation to the Nissan brand. The GT refers to the previous top-of-the-line street brakes called Gran Turismo. So GT-R is the next level with a re-engineered caliper. It’s basically a full race caliper you can take to a competitive race series, but improved to be quiet and comfortable for daily driving.
The spec includes machined billet construction where the GT caliper designs are cast. The new construction allows the caliper to be stiffer and about 10% lighter across the line. The finish on the GT-R calipers is nickel plating to avoid corrosion.
The caliper has a twin-seal design using two inner pressure seals. The pistons are also better protected, offering a superior heat barrier to eliminate fade during intense use. Less fluid absorption and stiffer pedal feel are a couple other benefits.
Compared to race calipers, which are usually hard anodized, they can create too much noise. Yet the GT-R calipers will be queit like any street kit, but with the performance properties of a race product. They can also be used in any type of weather, something race calipers can’t handle.
GT-R calipers will be interchangeable with all the current GT kits on the market, or sold in new kits which are custom-built at Race Technologies. They have four- and six-piston calipers ready to accommodate 355-405mm drilled or slotted rotors.
In the Race Technologies workshop, its project E60 BMW M5 was receiving a set of 405mm front and 380mm slotted rotors with the new GT-R calipers. On the M5, this conversion takes off 8 lb per corner, removing plenty of unsprung weight.
Applications will be available for most street cars including BMW and Porsche. But don’t expect to get these brakes at a bargain price. They're the best on the market and carry a premium price. It was suggested they’ll be double the suggested retail price of the GT parts. Start saving your pennies!