LucasVarity to Provide World First Brakes for Mercedes A-Class
24 September 1997
LucasVarity to Provide World First Brakes for Mercedes A-Class
LIVONIA, Mich., Sept. 24 -- The Light Vehicle Braking Systems
division of LucasVarity plc , the global automotive, diesel engine,
aftermarket and aerospace products and systems group, is supplying innovative
braking components for the new Mercedes A-Class small cars due to be launched
in October.
The A-Class features a LucasVarity drum brake with an aluminum back plate,
torque plate and wheel cylinder. At only 1.48 kilograms it is the world's
lightest drum brake, some 40% lighter than a comparable steel drum brake.
In addition, LucasVarity will produce a new front caliper design known as
the Colette II. Colette is the best-selling type of caliper worldwide, with
more than 300 million produced to date.
LucasVarity will also supply the world's lightest actuation system for the
A-Class, including an aluminum shell booster and aluminum master cylinder.
The system is approximately 1 kilogram lighter than its typical counterpart.
Beginning in 1998, LucasVarity will add rear calipers and an aluminum
micro master cylinder for the high-end versions of the A-Class.
The drum brakes are manufactured at the Pontypool, Wales, facility, the
calipers at Bouzonville, France, and the actuation system at Koblenz, Germany.
"The A-Class brake components yield better performance and reduced weight
characteristics for this exciting new car," said Divisional Managing Director
Steve Lunn. "We are pleased to again be developing advanced technologies with
Daimler-Benz, one of the world's premier automotive and transportation
companies. This contract confirms the Division's technological excellence and
its commitment to both customer care and providing products that are second to
none."
Headquartered in Livonia, Mich., the Light Vehicle Braking Systems
division of LucasVarity supplies braking components to virtually every major
automotive manufacturer in the world.
SOURCE LucasVarity plc