Ford Creates World’s First Electronic Handbrake

It can be hard to keep track of all of the things Ford has done or created before anyone else. And now that list has grown even longer thanks to Ford creating the world’s first electronic handbrake. Dubbed the Ford Performance Drift Stick, this impressive new creation was made specifically for the new Ford Focus RS and has been evaluated and approved by rally and stunt legend Ken Block. So, let’s get right down to it and find out all about what Ford engineers have dubbed the “Wicked Stick.”

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As we mentioned, the Ford Performance Drift Stick is the world’s first electronic handbrake. But what does that mean? For starters, it means the handbrake has a built-in USB port offering diagnostic capabilities and performance calibration loading. As for the Drift Stick itself, it’s an aluminum lever set in between the driver’s seat and the manual transmission shifter. The stick optimizes your all-wheel drive and antilock braking systems to open up rear-drive unit clutches and apply hydraulic pressure to lock the rear wheels and induce a drift. That may sound complicated, but all you need to do is pull the lever and enjoy the ride – just make sure you’re doing it safely.

Rally and Stunt star Ken Block was a part of the development team for the new Ford Focus RS, and also played an integral role in getting the Ford Performance Drift Stick made. Here’s what he had to say about the world’s first electronic handbrake:

“I think it’s really cool that Ford Performance is offering customers a way to create large-angle drifts in the Focus RS. Obviously, it’s something that I’m really passionate about having been a part of the development of the production vehicle, so it’s exciting to see it come to life. It definitely makes the car even more fun to drive.”

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