Speed Limiters > On The Way Out?

[Brookside]

Performance chip w. speed limiter removed

The Knowledge: Speed limiters
All you wanted to know about cars but were afraid to ask

Since 1987 all fast Jaguars, Audis, BMWs, Lexuses and all but one of the faster Mercedes have had a common top speed: 155mph. This is the result of a gentlemen’s agreement, originating with BMW, to fit speed limiters similar to those found in lorries.

There were two reasons for the agreement. First it was thought that it would preserve the unrestricted speed limit tradition of some stretches of Germany’s autobahns — something the car companies feared would be in jeopardy if they continued to make ever faster cars — and second it brought design advantages. If a car’s top speed is 155mph rather than, say, 200mph, it can have more comfortable suspension, require less aerodynamic work and use smaller brakes, lowering development and production costs. Manufacturers can also continue to improve acceleration times without commensurate increases in top speeds and the problems that brings.

Not all car makers are signed up to the agreement. VW may own Audi, but it also has Lamborghini, Bugatti and Bentley, which produce 200mph-plus cars, and the 2007 Audi R9 supercar will be allowed to run unrestricted. Mercedes exempts its SLR, while Porsche and Ferrari have never played ball.

Many industry insiders now believe that speed limiters have had their day and that manufacturers will quietly start to drop them as the pressure to sell more cars increases.

Ironically, the concept of speed limiters has filtered down to less exalted vehicles: in a recent trial in Britain cars were fitted with a system that combined speed limiter and satellite navigation technology. Speed limits were programmed into the sat nav’s map and the driver was prevented from exceeding them. The study found that accidents decreased by around one fifth, prompting calls to have all cars fitted with the system.

The London Times May 28, 2006

[wltsm]

Originally Posted by James

Speed limits were programmed into the sat nav’s map and the driver was prevented from exceeding them. The study found that accidents decreased by around one fifth, prompting calls to have all cars fitted with the system.

When/if this happens, it will be a very sad day for the motor industry!

Thanks for posting!

[MikeJ]

I suppose the top speed limiters matter in Germany but not really anywhere else. Except of course to people who only care about bragging rights...

Originally Posted by James

Ironically, the concept of speed limiters has filtered down to less exalted vehicles: in a recent trial in Britain cars were fitted with a system that combined speed limiter and satellite navigation technology. Speed limits were programmed into the sat nav’s map and the driver was prevented from exceeding them. The study found that accidents decreased by around one fifth, prompting calls to have all cars fitted with the system.

Now that is something I'm really worried about. People are so obsessed with speed limits that drastic measures such as that may become a reality in 10-15 years... Never mind that not being able to exceed the limit actually makes driving more dangerous.

[Brookside]

I agree with both of you guys...it feels like the beginning of the "Granny State" where behavior is monitored "for your safety."

The irony is that the cars that are engineered for safety at speed may be getting rid of limiters while less expensive cars will have them added.
I can't get around the logic for this.

And who knows what lurks in the heart of next-gen Sat/Nav units!
Strange.

[Carbon]

Originally Posted by MikeJ

I suppose the top speed limiters matter in Germany but not really anywhere else. Except of course to people who only care about bragging rights...

Well, from what I've heard numerous times, it does have significance in other places. In the US, the police helicopters top out around 150-155 (again, just saying what I heard). Most European and especially German cars are engineered to be much better at high speeds, so the limiter has some significance here if a helicopter can't keep up with you.

If you have a superbike, nothing on the highway can really touch you. It's pretty easy to run from the police on one if you really wanted to.