112MPH max, is this a new standard somewhere.

[tangey]

I first noticed in on the pre-release some months ago for the EQC, and thought it was at odds with it's sub 5sec 0-60 time.
Mercedes-Benz EQC Press Release

Now I see Volvo is saying all their cars will be 112 MPH (180KPH)
Volvo Cars to impose 180 kph speed limit on all cars to highlight dangers of speeding

and the Audi Q4 etron similarly 112 MPH. skip to around 1:40 sec

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[merc85]

Volvo to fit speed limiters in 2020

 

[tangey]

Volvo to fit speed limiters in 2020

yeah, missed that Seems a bit coincidental that both the Merc EQC and Audi Etron cite the same figure as their max speed.

So I'm wondering is this 112MPG (180KPH) a new standard that's been set for some all-eletric vehicles.

 

[E55BOF]

Good low-speed acceleration and low top speed suits electric motors, which make their maximum torque as soon as they start moving, and will improve range for a given battery capacity. Making a virtue of necessity, perhaps?

Their focus is shifting to how many gimmicks and gadgets the car has now, too, and away from high speed. Will the Top Trumps types of the current 18 to 30-year-olds be boasting about the electronic kit their cars have, not the performance, in a few years' time? No more flames out of the exhaust; look at my light show and see how big my wifi hotspot is?

 

[grober]

It evidently originated in JAPAN.
No other phrase more eloquently captures the essence of Japan's car industry than jishu-kisei, or "mutual self-restraint."
Either in terms of maximum engine-power output, maximum speedometer readings or speed limiters, Japan is the world leader in automotive moderation.
It all started back in the mid-1970s, when the police and government became concerned about the growing nationwide problem of bosozoku — street gangs on motor cycles and in cars who were speeding around disrupting traffic and ignoring road laws. The Japan Automobile Manufacturers' Association (JAMA) stepped in, suggesting that domestic carmakers put a ceiling on the maximum speed of all future Japanese- built vehicles by restricting the top speed markings on speedometers to 180 kph and imposing a speed-limiting device at the same speed. Once a vehicle reached 180 kph, this "speed governor" would automatically starve an engine of fuel and stop the car from going any faster.

Today, every vehicle produced in Japan for the local market comes fitted with a speed limiter set at 180 kph. Why carmakers made 180 kph their mark is not clear, but one industry insider suggested it was about the maximum speed that a standard domestically built car could go at the time. The policy was well-received by the general motoring public, who had urged authorities and carmakers to do something concrete to curb the gang problem and make roads safer. By the late '70s, a combination of police action and the speed limiters had led to a reduction in gang-related violence.

But the 180-kph limit also seemed like a good idea to the vast majority of drivers for the simple reason that the maximum speed allowed on expressways was only 100 kph anyway.

While the 180-kph speed limiter remains a uniquely Japanese phenomenon, and never ceases to generate considerable comedy among media and car enthusiasts from Europe and America — where many speed limiters engage at 250 kph — it is not the only measure of "mutual self-restraint" on the nation's roads.

Peter Lyon is a a 20-year motoring journalist who covers Japan's auto industry for more than a dozen publications worldwide.

 

[Stratman]

I wonder if the limiters will be like those fitted to powerful motorbikes back in the eighties?

To quell public outrage at vastly overpowered bikes, manufacturers voluntarily fitted restrictors in either or both of inlet and exhaust plumbing, basically washers tacked in the pipework. There was a big important warning in the handbook too, along the lines of "On no account remove these flow restrictors by tapping them out, otherwise your engine will produce too much power". All that was missing was a winky smiley thing.

 

[flowrider]

Why limit to 112? Why not limit to 80? I don't really see the point of the 112 limit.

 

[bob6600]

More than enough speed for 95%+ of drivers. The few who want more will get the limiter mapped out as I'm sure it will be possible.

 

[markjay]

More than enough speed for 95%+ of drivers...

95%? I would hope the real figure is nearer the 99% mark....

 

[Deleted member 6183]

Perhaps it will become a badge of honour to 'max out' your car?

Loads of you are old enough to remember the ton up motorcycle boys, some of you will have been one of them.

 

[bob6600]

95%? I would hope the real figure is nearer the 99% mark....

I was going to put 99% but I think it's not just about people who will do anywhere near that speed but also people who would want a car unrestricted/higher top end.
99% will hopefully never go near that speed. My man maths is terrible but I think there are roughly up to 5% of cars on the roads that are remapped.

Looks like the manufacturers are hoping 0-60 times are a bigger selling point than the top speed figure, although some will want both.

 

[gaz_l]

Worried about speeding? Simply buy a 2003 VW Beetle Cabriolet. I guarantee you will never want to break the speed limit.

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[Wolfie1]

If its anything like jap cars its very easy to do away with the speed limiter if someone really wanted

 

[DoberMan]

I wonder if the limiters will be like those fitted to powerful motorbikes back in the eighties?

To quell public outrage at vastly overpowered bikes, manufacturers voluntarily fitted restrictors in either or both of inlet and exhaust plumbing, basically washers tacked in the pipework. There was a big important warning in the handbook too, along the lines of "On no account remove these flow restrictors by tapping them out, otherwise your engine will produce too much power". All that was missing was a winky smiley thing.

I recall they were restricted to 186MPH rather than the 200MPH they were capable of. Some sort of 'gentlemens' agreement by the manufactures.

Insane speeds on 2 or 4 wheels. On public roads.

 

[Oli]

I recall they were restricted to 186MPH rather than the 200MPH they were capable of. Some sort of 'gentlemens' agreement by the manufactures.

Insane speeds on 2 or 4 wheels. On public roads.

That was only for Japanese bikes IIRC, my current bike (Italian) the speedo just stops reading after 186 MPH apparently, but the revs keep rising so it isn't restricted to it, one of the bike magazines used their fancy equipment to test it, and it maxxed out at mid 190s on standard gearing.

 

[DoberMan]

That was only for Japanese bikes IIRC, my current bike (Italian) the speedo just stops reading after 186 MPH apparently, but the revs keep rising so it isn't restricted to it, one of the bike magazines used their fancy equipment to test it, and it maxxed out at mid 190s on standard gearing.

Yes you are right. Omitted to say Japanese manufacturers.

Gotta love them Italians!

 

[Oli]

Yes you are right. Omitted to say Japanese manufacturers.

Gotta love them Italians!

I’ve had loads of Japanese bikes over the last nearly 20 years, think they’re great, last two have been Italian though-Aprilia now Ducati and both have been absolutely brilliant.
It has been a bit of an odd experience though- being used to having a Japanese bike, its been strange having so many people stop and look at it, take photos of it and if you’re getting back on it, start chatting away asking questions about it.

 

[Teego]

To quell public outrage at vastly overpowered bikes, manufacturers voluntarily fitted restrictors in either or both of inlet and exhaust plumbing, basically washers tacked in the pipework. There was a big important warning in the handbook too, along the lines of "On no account remove these flow restrictors by tapping them out, otherwise your engine will produce too much power". All that was missing was a winky smiley thing.
I recall they were restricted to 186MPH rather than the 200MPH they were capable of. Some sort of 'gentlemens' agreement by the manufactures.

When I took my Exup RU Foxeye for its first service I had the intake webs removed. The technician said "that's the cheapest power gain you'll ever get"
He was right. That bike was an absolute blast on the autobahnen. Specially when something like an M5 wanted to play. Cruise with him to 155mph in 4th. His limiter cuts in and I'm gone shifting to 5th on the way. Happy days.

300kph/186mph was a gentlemen's agreement to pacify euro lawmakers. Many car makers went down to 250kph/155mph. Both still hang around but can be removed for £100.