HBA and Hill-holder

The equipment array on the Alfa Brera is completed by the HBA system, the hydraulic electronic braking assistant which automatically increases the pressure in the braking circuit during emergency braking. And by the Hill-holder system, which maintains braking pressure for a few moments after the driver removes his foot from the pedal, to simplify hill starts and prevent the car from slipping backwards.



Cutting-edge systems for total protection

Passive safety also benefits from state-of-the-art technology. And goes on to include a new chassis designed to absorb impact with maximum efficacy. Occupants are also protected by the body and doors, without forgetting the Isofix attachments for carrying the tiniest occupants with maximum safety. The car also offers innovative restraint systems (pretensioner on the buckle and a degressive load limiter on the seat-belt) and numerous airbags (at least seven as standard): front with two-stage activation, sidebags and curtain-bags to protect the rear seats as well, and new devices that safeguard the driver's knees. These kneebags (the passenger bag is an option) prevent contact with the dashboard surface and help achieve the highest safety levels.


They are complemented by two front airbags with two-stage activation: for the driver (with capacity of 60 litres) and passenger (120 litres). Their operation is controlled by an electronic control unit on the tunnel that evaluates impact severity by means of sensors that are calibrated by conducting crash tests in the laboratory. The system comes with a diagnostic circuit for checking components electronically. The components are tested by a processor that monitors their operation continuously. The airbags will not be activated by low speed accidents (for example, a slight shunt or a bump while parking) or by stresses that are not due to impact (e.g. driving fast over a pothole). On certain markets, the car is fitted with a front passenger airbag that may be deactivated manually so that a baby can be carried in a seat with its back to the direction of motion (the pretensioner remains active).


The Alfa Brera is fitted with two sidebags to protect the pelvis and chest of front seat passengers when the car is struck from the side. They are located inside the front seat squabs. This solution ensures the best possible protection for passengers regardless of their stature, sitting position or seat setting. For geometrical reasons, it is also possible to use a 12 litre airbag: this volume is lower than an airbag housed in the door would require to offer the same protection. The sensors controlling activation of these airbags are located in the central pillars. If an accident occurs, they receive a side acceleration signal and send it to the electronic control unit that is also responsible for operating the front airbags and seat-belt pretensioners. All systems are managed in an integrated manner in accordance with a strategy of total, progressive occupant safety.


The Alfa Brera is also fitted with curtain-bags that drop down along the windows to safeguard the passengers' heads in the case of side impact. The curtain-bags adopted on the new model are more protective than other products, faster to inflate and less invasive for passengers. They open from top to bottom and do not involve a risk of secondary damage to occupants' arms. They also effectively safeguard the heads of front and rear passengers because they extend along the entire width of the window and ensure protection even during rollover. Two bags (one on the right and the other on the left) are located under the roof rails where they are folded into a closed compartment. At the appropriate moment, the covering bends open to allow the bags to expand and drop downward. Lastly, the new model is fitted with a mechanism to release the pedals in the event of frontal impact to protect the lower limbs.

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