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Brembo’s new R&D centre has opened in Stezzano near Bergamo, Italy. The facility will develop higher performance, weight-reduced brake discs and callipers plus mechatronic systems for brake-by-wire.

Chairman Alberto Bombassei said: “Brembo believes in breakthrough R&D activities as the backbone of corporate growth.” Nearly ten per cent of the firm’s 4,700 employees work in R&D.

The Kilometro Rosso site was chosen so engineers could be close to other advanced research. The science park has strong links to academia and was the first to become an associate member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Brembo is part of the Intellimech consortium, which has laboratories on-site. The 18 members, including Fiat R&D, are developing mechatronics.

Brembo’s interest is in brake-by-wire. The firm said the technology will gradually replace current hydraulic systems. It also expects steering wheel mounted controls linked to an ECU to replace the brake pedal.

Brembo Ceramic Brake Systems is nearby, which makes ceramic discs. Brembo said mass market vehicle brakes will eventually need to use ceramics and aluminium alloys.