Speed Limiter
01-19-2010, 10:03 AM
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01-19-2010, 11:23 AM
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01-20-2010, 05:13 PM
#26
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The 250 kmh ( 155 mph ) " gentlemen's agreement" between MBZ/BMW/Audi came about years ago because they all realized that higher hp sells cars vs brand X's flagship model , but most drivers just bragged about what was under the hood or used the power for acceleration benefits up to 120-130 mph when they backed off . For the few who would run at Vmax on the autobahn, additional suspension beefiness and spec'ing tires that would handle the forces and heat build up would mean signif build cost/selling price and a generally truck- like ride at sane speeds. This of course was before computerized air shocks, etc.
In the US mkt, those same cars came limited to only 130 mph, as we don't have Autobahns and the typical flagship buyer was less likely here to be drifting their cars around bends on the Pacific Coast Highway. and at the time the ZR tires needed for even going 155 were judged unacceptable to Americans used to driving floaty quiet LincolnTown Cars , so the mushier , quieter HR rated tires ( max speed 130 ) were used here .
Lexus changed all that when they were able to sell an LS400 with ZR tires and a greater than 150 mph top speed that still rode quieter/smoother than any German flagships sold here. It took a couple model years to re-engineer their cars with more emphasis on sound proofing before they matched the Lexus top speed with a ride acceptable to the typical American buyer on ZR rubber .
Of course, now they all sell special models , like the AMGs, Ms and S with their beefed up susp/tires and price tags to go along with higher than 155 factory limit .
In the US mkt, those same cars came limited to only 130 mph, as we don't have Autobahns and the typical flagship buyer was less likely here to be drifting their cars around bends on the Pacific Coast Highway. and at the time the ZR tires needed for even going 155 were judged unacceptable to Americans used to driving floaty quiet LincolnTown Cars , so the mushier , quieter HR rated tires ( max speed 130 ) were used here .
Lexus changed all that when they were able to sell an LS400 with ZR tires and a greater than 150 mph top speed that still rode quieter/smoother than any German flagships sold here. It took a couple model years to re-engineer their cars with more emphasis on sound proofing before they matched the Lexus top speed with a ride acceptable to the typical American buyer on ZR rubber .
Of course, now they all sell special models , like the AMGs, Ms and S with their beefed up susp/tires and price tags to go along with higher than 155 factory limit .
01-20-2010, 07:59 PM
#27
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i have an 06 cayman that has done 171 mph without any mods so i guess Porsche wasn't in on the gentleman's agreement i had zr rated tires since 1987 on my mustang gt that did 156mph on the NY thruway so i don't buy the zr tire rating you quoted.Lexus was a dream back then. rest sounds right. the factory personnel in Ingolstadt told me about this. Around the corner is MTM that will flash for 700 euros. didnt have time but did hit 150mph on autobahn
Eventually the Germans had to re-engineer ( mostly with a ton more soundproofing ) to put ZR s on. BTW, Audi A8 flagship in US mkts cont to have 130 mph limit until very recently because Audi's tend to be tuned more sportily , so they had to keep using HR tires ( max sped 130 by tire company agreement ) here .
BTW, a ZR rating doesn't have a set max allowable speed - every ZR tire has it's limit - even the same brand /model /size will have differences due to compounding and manufacturers specs -like Porsche's N spec, Mercedes MO spec, etc . I recall the first " supertire " Pirelli P7 195/50-15s ( amazing +2 , LOL ) I put on my modded Sciroccos in the mid 70s only had VR rating ( the highest at the time ) , as on my first 911 25 years ago.
Last edited by Inclined; 01-20-2010 at 08:03 PM.
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