With 355mm front rotors gripped by some fairly sizable calipers, the standard braking hardware of Aston Martin’s DB9 isn’t exactly limp-wristed. However, compared to the 378mm rotors and quad-piston calipers worn by the Caparo T1 they look positively fragile, which is why Aston Martin have reportedly decided to fit their big GT with the Caparo’s big brakes.
The Caparo’s rotors are 23mm larger in diameter than the DB9’s standard items, which in itself would be enough to increase braking torque markedly. But Caparo and the braking specialists from AP Racing who designed this kit also decided to throw a set of four-piston aluminium monobloc calipers on the front and rear hubs for good measure. Brake bias has also been shifted further forwards, with 63 per cent of braking force now being applied to the front rotors instead of the old system’s 60 per cent setting.
The end result is a 24 per cent reduction in stopping distance, an 18 per cent decrease in peak brake temperature and a 30 per cent drop in pedal effort.
Current rumours say that Aston Martin will likely offer the kit either as standard fitment or as an optional upgrade on future DB9s, but if you’re the impatient type then the Caparo AP system is available now as a retrofit, with a retail price of £1,570 for the front kit and £970 for the rears. A must for the gentleman racer.










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The thing is, 378mm rotors aren’t that big anymore. 355mm+ rotors can be found on most warm sports models, like current HSVs and the Infiniti G series.
Same with 4 pot calipers.
I realise the DB9 isn’t the DBRS and so doesn’t need massive brakes, but when tarted up family cars from “bread and butter” companies have the same brakes as you then you should be looking long and hard at upgrading.
In the T1’s case, its diminutive weight means 355mm rotors are incredibly massive. The Ariel Atom, which is practically the same weight, gets by with 240mm rotors. The Elise, which weighs more, has 280mm rotors. Neither car gets complaints about being underbraked, although neither of them make the same levels of power.