BMW has developed yet another active safety system which will shortly be available in future BMW models.

Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) will offer BMW drivers an active safety system which further improves brake effectiveness, particularly in emergency situations.

The effect of DBC is that when the driver seeks to stop in an emergency situation, the system speeds up and reinforces the brake application in order to provide maximum braking in the minimum distance. The criteria for activating full application of the brakes are the speed with which the driver applies the brakes and the level of brake pressure applied.

Unlike first generation systems currently on the market, DBC works with hydraulic brake pressure reinforcement, not vacuum related reinforcement. The hydraulic unit is part of the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system and its activation allows for the most effective application of the brakes in an emergency braking situation.

BMW's Dynamic Stability Control system has been fitted to a variety of BMW models over the last three years. It is now also available on the new 3 Series sedan.

DSC allows for the computer controlled application of brake pressure to any or all of the wheels in a manner designed to retain directional stability of the car in critical situations. The DSC system is usually activated when the car is under power, although it also helps to maintain directional stability when braking whilst cornering.

DBC, on the other hand, operates only in severe braking situations and is an adjunct to the existing ABS which allows for directional control in such situations.

The application of all of these stability and braking systems is co-ordinated by an umbrella system called Electronic Brake Management or EBM. EBM determines, based on input from yaw sensors, steering sensors, wheel sensors and brake force sensors, to what degree each or all of the stability and braking systems will be activated. In this way the most appropriate driver assistance system, or combination of systems, will be activated and applied to ensure the directional stability of the vehicle and to maximise stopping ability if that is required.

With the development of DBC, BMW has once again demonstrated that whenever a technology can be applied to the aiding of vehicle safety, it will be integrated into BMW production models as soon as possible. However it is always BMW's objective that all of the assistance and protection systems work in concert to ensure that BMW vehicles not only provide sheer driving pleasure but also the safest driving experience available.