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Volvo is introducing a 112mph speed limiter to all its new cars

arstechnica.com

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Re: Volvo is introducing a 112mph speed limiter to all its new cars

#151

Post by sevensor »

benj111 wrote: post #137
sevensor wrote: post #118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What we need here is a log scale speedometer. Goes up to 140 in case your brakes and transmission fail while descending a steep hill, but gives you plenty of resolution at the lower speeds.

Because as I was hurtling down the hill doing 140 with no brakes, my first concern would be knowing what speed I was doing. Presumably if the speedo only went to 112mph, it would be impossible to go faster (that's how it works, right?), so you'd know what speed you were doing anyway.

> Because as I was hurtling down the hill doing 140 with no brakes, my first concern would be knowing what speed I was doing.

Exactly -- it would be hard to discriminate between 120 and 140 on a log scale speedometer, but when you're going that fast, does the speed really matter?

Re: Volvo is introducing a 112mph speed limiter to all its new cars

#152

Post by jandrese »

yeahboats wrote: post #100
Shorel wrote: post #74

I would love if all cars had a cruise speed mode where I could say, I want the top speed to be 60, and it never goes faster. The difference here is that I would choose this speed, instead of it being set only by the manufacturer. It is also OK if the car had both limits, a manufacturer max and a lower max speed configurable by the driver.

Isn't this what cruise control is? Or do you want this to be a hidden limit, say for one's kids' cars?

Cruise control won't hit the brakes if you are going downhill and exceed your set speed. I think he's looking for the latter. Setting it to 60 is probably too low though unless the OP only ever drives in the city. I'm hoping he's not one of those people who immediately shove their way over to the far left lane of the interstate and never move until they suddenly jump across three lanes of traffic at the last second to take their exit.

Re: Volvo is introducing a 112mph speed limiter to all its new cars

#153

Post by nicoburns »

zamadatix wrote: post #18
chasingthewind wrote: post #5

There is no circumstances under which a maximum speed of 112 would bother me. I drive a Honda Fit. I don't think I have ever driven it over 85 miles per hour (137km/hr). I'm not comfortable driving faster than that. What makes me mad is that my speedometer goes up to 140mph! Why?! The only answer I've ever seen that makes sense is that it's a marketing tool, but who honestly buys a Honda Fit and thinks to themselves…

The Fit's estimated top speed is 115. Applying logic to the problem I'd say it goes to 140 because it probably supports switching to km/h mode (e.g. if you need to drive through Canada) and 140 km/h = ~85 mph which as you say is probably the reasonable limit to take the vehicle

I'll bet in can go faster than that down hills...

Re: Volvo is introducing a 112mph speed limiter to all its new cars

#154

Post by tomatotomato37 »

ken wrote: post #22
retube wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> What makes me mad is that my speedometer goes up to 140mph! Why?! It's a standard dial they stick in all models / engines

Which Honda goes 140 mph? As the article points out, Japanese domestic cars have been limited to 112 mph for years. High performance cars like the NSX and Type R trims go far faster than that.

The 112 limit was only for JDM models, most USDM Honda models are potentially limited to around 150 since they use V tires

Re: Volvo is introducing a 112mph speed limiter to all its new cars

#155

Post by jandrese »

newnewpdro wrote: post #75

This should be matched with a lowered purchase price, because they're almost certainly going to be equipping cheaper tires w/a correspondingly low speed rating.

This is Volvo we are talking about. They weren't equipping their station wagons with Pirelli tires.

Re: Volvo is introducing a 112mph speed limiter to all its new cars

#156

Post by shric »

JustSomeNobody wrote: post #125
snvzz wrote: post #116

Suddenly can't accelerate because of stupid speed limit -> Death. Due to this fear, many a person (including myself) will simply never buy one such car.

If one is in a situation on a typical road where accelerating beyond 112MPH is going to cause death, I'm not completely sure that limiting to 112 is the real issue.

Being chased by a psychopathic Volvo driver springs to mind

Re: Volvo is introducing a 112mph speed limiter to all its new cars

#157

Post by tqi »

serf wrote: post #110

Bummer for track folks. It's easy to get a new set of rubber that has a speed rating higher than what the factory provided; It's a lot more difficult for a layman to flash out a speed limit. It's a shame that less and less companies are producing products that take into account that perhaps the potential buyer might actually know better.

This article mentions geofencing for schools/hospitals: https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/4/18246665/volvo-top-speed-l...

I'm guessing this could be extended to tracks (in the other direction).

Re: Volvo is introducing a 112mph speed limiter to all its new cars

#158

Post by mrguyorama »

lazerpants wrote: post #145
mrguyorama wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not convinced how many tracks will run into this limit, at least on the "lower end" Volvos. My understanding is that tracking is not about high speed, but instead handling.

I've gone over 112mph on every track I've been to, despite handling being important.

I guess that means I've underestimated straight length on the average track. Fair enough

Re: Volvo is introducing a 112mph speed limiter to all its new cars

#159

Post by DKnoll »

snvzz wrote: post #116

Suddenly can't accelerate because of stupid speed limit -> Death. Due to this fear, many a person (including myself) will simply never buy one such car.

What car do you have now? Unless it's a high-end vehicle it most likely has a limiter already.

Re: Volvo is introducing a 112mph speed limiter to all its new cars

#160

Post by russh »

dmitriid wrote: post #115
henvic wrote: post #105

If I were automaker I'd consider allowing bursts above the maximum speed limit for a few seconds. I'm not a fan of limiting (besides for warranty, electronics reasons) and prefer to educate rather than restrict. However, if taking this approach I believe you should consider that some people might drive in the limit and they deserve to be in power of their vehicles regardless. Imagine if you drive near this software-l…

At 112mph you’re traveling 54 yards (50 meters) per second . There’s no situation that can be solved by increasing speed at this velocity. You simply won’t have the time to react. Unless, of course, you’re trying to outrun a train in a car chase in a movie.

You say that now, but when the old wooden bridge is out and the revenuers are hot on your tail, you'll curse the day you bought a car that was limited to only 112mph.
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