Less Than A Third Of New Cars Have A Manual Handbrake
The joys of expertly executing a graceful handbrake turn in an empty gravel car park may soon be a thing of the past.
Last year, Car Gurus conducted a survey to see how many new models were still offered with the good, old fashioned kind of parking brake, and the news was grim - just 37 per cent made the grade. Now, the company has released an updated report, which concluded that the population of cars with manual handbrakes has dropped to just 30 per cent.
Yep - more than two-thirds of new cars sold in the UK are available with an electronic handbrake only. Dacia and Suzuki are the only mainstream brands that continue to offer manual handbrakes for all cars in its range, while Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes and Porsche exclusively sell cars with electronic systems.
There’s a good reason why this is happening - they are, in most ways, better. They’re easier to package than manual arrangements, engaging/disengaging them involves much less effort (the latter will often happen automatically as you set off), and you’re much less likely to make a mistake with a simple on/off button.
“It’s official, the death of the handbrake is coming as manufacturers switch to electronic parking brakes in huge numbers,” said Car Gurus UK editor Chris Knapman, adding, “They have rapidly gone from being a novelty to what our research shows is now the norm.”
Press F to pay respects.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Funny how this news is probably one of the least important things in the world to about 99% of the population but absolutely devastating to us!
To be honest, it doesn’t really bother me. Sure, there’s a few examples of electric handbrakes that I hate (looking at you Hyundai i40 and Tucson), but if it works fine, it’s fine. Most cars have hill start assist by default anyway, so you won’t need to use the handbrake. And if it doesn’t have that, but it does have an electric handbrake, you can just use the regular brake. More the problem of the guy behind you than that it’s your problem.
My car has an button handbrake and I love it! Makes more space in the center and is so simple to activate/release! I think after having it for so many years, I would actively avoid a car with a manual handbrake!
I’m so happy my Jetta has a manual handbrake and transmission.
CarThrottle, giving us the crucial figures
Another reason that’s not mentioned is because they are safer. Electronic parking brakes act as emergency brakes when used at high speeds (don’t try this), That’s way they are placed at the center console and not at the driver side as they used to. In case the driver had a heart attack or fainted, the passenger can stop the car by applying the handbrake. Even though it’s very unlikely, in case there is an oil leak in the braking system or brake servo failed, handbrake can be used since they have separate mechanical mechanism to be used for such situations.
F
What utter rubbish , do you know how many times people have thought that little handbrake button operates the windows , rather than place it on the drivers side manufactors like to place it inbetween seats so the passenger has access to it , plus the cost of relacing the motor when they fail is ridiculous almost a grand for some cars , cant beat a manual handbrake
And if the battery fails ,on some models you cant bump start the car bbecause you cant turn the electric handbrake off
Matt robinson this article is utter garbage