[Alex Baumann]

I've just read an interesting article. German car manufacturers started offering some of their top models without speed limiters from factory.

As known, other than Porsche and tuners, german manufacturers were agreed on a speed limit of 250km/h

Some numbers provided by manufacturers :

VW Phaeton : 297 km/h
Mercedes SL55 AMG : 325 km/h
(new) Audi RS6 : 280 km/h


Do you think that would start a top speed battle among manufacturers ? Or will it be just a marketing bait to attract more customers ?

 

[JST]

I've just read an interesting article. German car manufacturers started offering some of their top models without speed limiters from factory.

As known, other than Porsche and tuners, german manufacturers were agreed on a speed limit of 250km/h

Some numbers provided by manufacturers :

VW Phaeton : 297 km/h
Mercedes SL55 AMG : 325 km/h
(new) Audi RS6 : 280 km/h

Do you think that would start a top speed battle among manufacturers ? Or will it be just a marketing bait to attract more customers ?

I hope not. I think the "gentlemen's agreement" on speed limits was a good thing. In all honesty, 155 mph is probably as fast as you can safely go on any of the autobahnen. A top speed battle is only likely to bring down the wrath of regulators and lead to the imposition of unwanted restrictions, either on cars themselves or on the roads.

 

[Zaphod]

Did the article say if it was for Euro cars only? With the way the U.S. is with litigation this could open up some big liabilities for the manufacturers.

From what we've seen in the current horsepower wars, a top speed war seems logical to follow.

I wonder what the insurance companies will do with this.

 

[nate]

Mercedes SL55 AMG : 325 km/h

I thought the SL55 couldn't be allowed over 306km/h because there are no tires to handle that large of a car going that fast :dunno:

 

[ALEX325i]

Speaking of RS6... It's going to be sold in the US next year (sedan, not Avant). I predict M5 owners have some competition now (450 HP)... Too bad the only available tranny is Tiptronic... Oh well, at least it comes with F1-inspired paddles...