I've read several times in magazines that big brakes are necessary to "stop all that power", but that doesn't make sense to me. Not entirely, at least.
I understand that brakes stop a car's momentum, and that's the product of mass x velocity. Therefore, heavier cars should have bigger brakes, not necessarily cars with more powerful engines. After all, won't a 160 hp Camry going at 110 mph need the same braking power as a 330 hp M3 going at the same speed, assuming they are the same weight?
Or is it the assumption that cars with more power are more likely to drive fast on the street and track, where optimal braking performance is necessary? If so, the vast majority of people don't need 14" brakes.
I understand that brakes stop a car's momentum, and that's the product of mass x velocity. Therefore, heavier cars should have bigger brakes, not necessarily cars with more powerful engines. After all, won't a 160 hp Camry going at 110 mph need the same braking power as a 330 hp M3 going at the same speed, assuming they are the same weight?
Or is it the assumption that cars with more power are more likely to drive fast on the street and track, where optimal braking performance is necessary? If so, the vast majority of people don't need 14" brakes.