Research has shown that the traditional handbrake lever may be dying.
Petroheads used to make the handbrake turn an integral part of their mating ritual. Top Gear believed this.
According to CarGurus research, only 37% of new cars have a traditional mechanical handbrake lever.
Langley Steinert, founder of TripAdvisor, discovered that only two major manufacturers, Dacia, and Suzuki, offer a standard handbrake for all models in their respective ranges. Most car manufacturers are only now offering them on entry-level models, but in some cases they offer them on more sporty options.
Many premium carmakers have replaced the old-fashioned handbrakes with electronic parking brakes. Some even use a foot-operated brake. It was discovered that Audi and all models of Jaguar, Land Rover Lexus, Mercedes, Mercedes, and Porsche no longer had any models with traditional handbrakes.
“It’s official that the handbrake will soon die as many manufacturers switch to electronic parking brakes,” Chris Knapman (editor at CarGurus U.K.) stated.
There are advantages to having electronically-operated parking brakes. They are easier to use, require less effort to engage and hold the car securely. Additionally, they don’t require adjustment like a traditional lever. Many electronic handbrakes automatically disengage when you pull away. They often include hill-hold assist features, which adds safety benefits. They also help to clear out clutter from a car’s interior.
Some drivers miss the simplicity and connection that a handbrake provides. As Chris Harris and Rory Ried from Top Gear show us, there are also downsides to using electronic handbrakes.