Brembo has introduced the Boldika, a new six-piston brake caliper designed for large pickups and SUVs with electrified and internal-combustion powertrains. The company says it is its most powerful caliper ever developed for road-going vehicles, delivering 8,500 newton-meters, or 6,269 pound-feet, of clamping torque.
Brembo Targets Heavy, Powerful Trucks and SUVs
The Boldika is designed for large vehicles that increasingly require greater braking capability as their power and weight rise. Brembo specifically developed the caliper for both electrified and traditional internal-combustion powertrains.
The name Boldika, pronounced “bohl-DEE-kah,” is described by Brembo as a blend of “bold” and “like.” Its six-piston configuration allows it to deliver the company’s claimed 8,500 Nm of clamping force.
Three-Piece Design Boosts Strength and Reduces Weight
The Boldika uses a three-piece construction consisting of aluminum components surrounding a cast-iron bridge. Brembo says this is the first time it has used this type of construction in a six-piston caliper.
According to the company, the design provides lower weight than an all-cast-iron construction while increasing stiffness and maximizing braking power.
The caliper also incorporates Brembo’s Enesys anti-drag technology. The system allows the brake pads to return to their resting position after braking, reducing residual friction between the pads and rotors when the brakes are not being applied.
Brembo says reducing that friction can improve fuel economy and EV range while also extending brake-pad life.
Boldika Fits Inside 20-Inch Wheels
Brembo describes the Boldika as having a muscular design while being engineered to maximize pad surface area. Despite its substantial braking capability, the caliper is compact enough to fit inside 20-inch wheels.
That packaging becomes particularly relevant with the first confirmed vehicle application, the Chevrolet Silverado EV RST Stars and Steel Edition.
Chevrolet Silverado EV Gets the Boldika
The Chevrolet Silverado EV RST Stars and Steel Edition will receive Boldika calipers finished in Torch Red when it arrives at dealerships later this year.
The all-electric pickup rides on 24-inch wheels and weighs around 9,000 pounds. It is also likely to produce more than 700 horsepower, similar to the last RST, which Chevrolet said could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds.
Even with regenerative braking, stopping a vehicle carrying that much mass presents a significant challenge. Brembo’s Boldika was developed specifically for the kind of braking demands created by powerful, heavy pickups and SUVs.
Brembo’s Most Powerful Road-Car Caliper
With its six-piston layout, three-piece construction, anti-drag technology and 8,500 Nm of clamping torque, the Boldika represents Brembo’s most powerful brake caliper for road-going vehicles. Its first confirmed application puts that capability on an electric pickup weighing around 9,000 pounds and producing more than 700 horsepower.
