auto enthusiast Helix : my Cooper already does have a top speed : 140 MPH. if you limit me to 80 MPH, i will subversively find a way to disconnect the device.
pragmatist, adult Helix : we'd be a lot better off if cars just drove themselves and were controlled by a central travel computer. example : next time you're stuck at a stoplight, watch how inefficient it is. drivers only take their foot off of the brake when the car in front of them does. imagine how much time would be saved if every car started moving forward the second the light turned green. i think that we're heading in this direction. we also need a lot more public transportation.
summary of the double Helix :
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Most cars have built in speed limiters, though tend now to be on the high side. Due to how modern cars are so computer managed if the manufacturer wants it to not be deleted it is impossible to do without spending astronomical amounts of money as the computer runs the fuel injection, transmission, throttle, air-fuel mixture, brakes, suspension etc. If the computer detected an error it shuts the car down. I had a Jaguar XKR (supercharged XKE) and got rid of it for how extreme the computer controls are.
In 2005 Mercedes decided to respond to earning an reputation that their cars were too heavy and too low on power by producing a 1000 horsepower, 1000 ft/pound torque rocketship they also shaved 1000 pounds off via titanium, carbon fiber and aluminum, that met EPA standards, still got 20 mpg and with a quiet exhaust - then downtuned it to 604 horsepower and 738 ft/pounds torque - out of 6 liter motor (385 CID). At the time, it was the most powerful production motor ever made, was very expensive and didn't sell well, for which after making 194 it was discontinued as a money loser. Reviewers loved the car for being eccentric for the radical power in a luxury 2+2, plus also explained the power was beyond what could be used.
As of 2007, every major manufacturer had the ability to get 1000 horsepower and 1000 ft/pounds torque out of 6-liter range motors. But mega torque and horsepower creates mega design and components issues, plus warranty and very challenging safety issues from handling to tires to cornering to brakes. GM could produce 1500 horsepower Co5vettes if they wanted to. Ford could do the same with Cobras and Chyrsler the same with Challengers.
The old 60s to 1971 muscle cars could put out a lot of horsepower, but didn't have overdrive and tended to have "drag packs" (low rear rears) limiting their top speed to around 120. The famous drag-pack 426 Hemi had a redline top speed of 114 mph due to the low rear gearing. Cars of that era didn't come close to having the aerodynamics, brakes and suspension for ubber fast speeds.
Manufacturers are increasingly putting in computer limiters while at the same time upping horsepower and torque potential, so their advertisement tend to be deceptive as are the speedometers. If the computers are "unlocked" they will realize their true horsepower and moreso torque (they mostly limit torque to protect components and to stay within traction control abilities). However, they are making it increasingly difficult to unlock them for actual driving. For example, few now allow you to actually drive the car while the motor is in "dyno mode" - which is maximum power output. 95% of cars are top speed limited - even super cars. However, for super cars that is due to tire safety and aerodynamic stability safety reasons - not power reasons.
Back in the Jimmy Carter era, federal law required speedometers not go past 85 - though the cars could. It has a TERRIBLE effect on car sales and was absurd. However, in that era most cars also were computer limited to about 100 mph. Buyers would be pissed to learn their big motor car couldn't go over 97 mph.
The latest thing of manufacturers who want cars dealer serviced is to have the computers monitoring servicing. While that use to make for warning lights coming on that only the dealer could reset, now it also starts depowering the car and even limiting the transmission. If too much so, it may only allow you reverse and 2nd gear so you can "limp mode" home.
That is annoying but maybe needed at some level. Annoying for sure as you have to pay the dealer whatever they want whether it needs it or not. The Merc we have was starting to depower based upon time passage from the prior servicing - although not driven 100 miles. On the other hand, the non-super exotic super speed cars are increasingly affordable on the used market. A person can now buy a used high mileage 185 mph Mercedes for under $20,000. Even less if the interior bad, lots of miles on it, bad interior and paint etc - but still 185 mph capable. To put it into perspective, at 185 mph a car is traveling the distance of a football field in 1 second. But while the motor can take the car that fast, it can't do it on its tires and WILL wipe out and that 5000 missile would take out everything in it's path.
I think cars should be top speed limited by manufacturers to the maximum speed the car is capable of being safely operated at - meaning limited on speed for the design capabilities. The car in the picture above for its aerodynamics, suspension and brakes is good for maybe 130 mph. Beyond that, it can not be driven safely as it would become aerodynamically unstable (car shapes are basically a lifting-wing), nor are the brakes good for anymore. Product-liability lawsuits now see that standard of speed limited to design abilities happens by the manufacturers.
