KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Disc brakes have more consistent braking, and doesn't lock the wheel
- Drum brakes are cheaper and last longer
- Brands like Kia offer disc brakes even in their entry-level cars
In automobiles, there are two types of braking systems on offer: disc and drum. Almost everybody knows about their existence and primary function, but what exactly makes them different is what we are going to discuss in this piece. So, let's begin - and in the meantime, don't forget to join our 91Wheels Whatsapp Channel to never miss an automotive update.
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Disc Brakes
A rotor which is attached to the wheel, and is fully exposed, is squeezed by a caliper with brake pads to slow down the wheel. Because of a brake pads the stopping power is more consistent and the wheel rather than locking, stops gradually at a rapid pace, and gives confidence to drive especially when it is applied at a higher speed.
As the whole process is fully visible, the disc cools down faster, and the chances of it fading are quite low. As most of us have seen, disc brakes are usually found on the front wheels of most cars and on the rear wheels of premium cars. Moreover, their maintenance is a little higher, but it is quite easy to inspect them and replace the brake pads.
Drum Brakes
The most common and cheaper alternative is drum brakes. A drum attached to the wheels has two brake shoes inside. When the driver presses the brake pedal, the two blocks (or brake shoes) push outwards and rub against the drum to create friction and slow down the wheel. As you would expect, they are closed, so there is no space for heat to dissipate. Under extreme situations, where brakes are made to work hard, they are more prone to fading. That's why we often see them in budget cars and in vehicles that aren't performance-oriented.
Positives of drum brakes are that they are cheaper, last longer, and are perfect for everyday driving. However, don't put them to the test, as they are not designed to match high enthusiasm levels.
Affordable cars with disc brakes:-
- Mahindra XUV 3X0
- Tata Punch EV
- Hyundai i20 N-Line
- Kia Sonet
- Kia Syros
- Hyundai Creta
- MG Windsor EV
- Tata Curvv
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Verdict
Rear disc brakes are usually seen on premium cars or, in some cases, only on the top variants. Interestingly, over a decade ago, Hyundai offered all four disc brakes on the first-generation i20 - becoming the first brand in India to do so. However, with the second generation, they switched back to rear drums to save costs. Thanks to this early move, Indian buyers became familiar with the concept of four-wheel disc brakes. That said, even today, brands like VW-Skoda don't offer rear discs on some of their top variants priced above Rs 20 lakh, despite featuring the powerful 1.5L TSI EVO engine.
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