R8 just arrived, question...

[smoothy]

My R8 just arrived at the dealership. Of course I had to rush down to have a peek, and one of the salesmen brought me into the garage bay where the car was up on the hoist. I noticed on the rear brake there is something that looks like a secondary caliper. What is this for? Here is a pic of my right rear wheel to show what I am talking about (the small caliper is on the left side of the rotor)

[RS4Cab]

Thats the parking brake

[number1]

Ahh, i wondered that too!

[smoothy]

Thats the parking brake

Thanks! Is it a standard Audi thing to hae the seperate caliper? I've just never seen it done before.

[RS4Cab]

Thanks! Is it a standard Audi thing to hae the seperate caliper? I've just never seen it done before.

First time I have seen it on an Audi.

[HovyR8]

Congrats, enjoy in good health.

My AM Vantage also had parking brake caliper.

[LoresonDE]

They are separate on alot of high-performance cars, when the brakes get to having 4+ pistons they get to be too complicated it just simplifies things, prevents braking issues,...all kinda of reasons that I dont know...haha

If i am correct they(still?) are also cable driven versus the actual brake caliper being fluid driven.

[Gee Tee Too]

The Bentley Continental GT has the 2nd caliper also

[dietrichate]

That is your Hill start assist. It allows you to do a hill start, e.g at lights, when you have had your foot on the brake pedal for ten seconds or more, it will hold the car without you having to apply the handbrake whilst you select a gear and accelerate.

It took a while to get used to, but I find it very useful now.

[lightninhopkins]

dietrichate, I always wondered if the brakes were doing that trick or something else. I guess it's that caliper. way cool to know.