[Chi-town330]

Just saw on CNN HN this morning that the EU is pressuring Germany to impose speed restrictions on the entire Autobahn (has a few spots with restrictions now, supposedly).

The issue driving the EU is not safety or fuel consumption, but rather pollution control. The proposed limit is approximately 80MPH.

I don't believe any decisions have been made at this time, so anybody with pending ED delivery is probably safe!

Anyway, just thought I would pass this along.

Since I wrote a post, I will add one totally un-related comment that has probably been beat to death on here: no temp gauge in the E90? WTF?

Realized this after I bought it. Oh yea, I would totally rather have a stupid fuel consumption gauge than a temp guage....not.

[Bandit6]

As someone who lives in Germany, I can assure you that even if they establish a speed limit on the Autobahn, it will have little practical impact. Germans believe they have a God-given right to drive as fast as their car and road conditions will allow. The "recommended" speed limit is widely ignored already and and the I rarely see anyone observing the speed limits established in congestion-prone areas, construction sites, and urban areas. Of course, you run the risk of an expensive ticket, but there are technological and tactical work-arounds to mitigate the risk. So... opt for ED, open her up and enjoy the ride.

[spesrf25]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Next thing you know, the Nurburgring will have a speed limit....lol.

[kepford]

Here's the link to the CNN report. Note that they're driving a BMW wagon to test out their theory.

http://www.cnn.com/video/player/play...many.speed.cnn

[chonko]

Originally Posted by Chi-town330

Just saw on CNN HN this morning that the EU is pressuring Germany to impose speed restrictions on the entire Autobahn (has a few spots with restrictions now, supposedly).

The issue driving the EU is not safety or fuel consumption, but rather pollution control. The proposed limit is approximately 80MPH.

I don't believe any decisions have been made at this time, so anybody with pending ED delivery is probably safe!

Anyway, just thought I would pass this along.

Since I wrote a post, I will add one totally un-related comment that has probably been beat to death on here: no temp gauge in the E90? WTF?

Realized this after I bought it. Oh yea, I would totally rather have a stupid fuel consumption gauge than a temp guage....not.

The feedback thus far is NO from the Germans.
There was a similar argument made when the SDP were in power, and that failed as well. With the Green Party out of the Grand coalition, I have my doubts.
I do not in any way see the CDU acquiescing to it as well.

[audiphile]

It's the end of the world as we know it. :mad:

[mkoesel]

Next thing you know, they'll want to do this in the US too. Oh wait a minute... DAMN! I miss Europe.

[rpiopio]

Repost: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50988

The comments on the link above get a bit testy re: global warming though

[Lost Cosmonaut]

I don't see how going 140mph makes any more pollution than going 80mph.

- LC

[kuthair]

^ +1

[Fraggy]

I drive as fast I want here in the states anyways. Once Im over 65mph its illegal just the same, so might as well have fun

Im sure Germans will have the same point of view. If youre gonna go 85, might as well go 135, its just as illegal.

[Dante]

Originally Posted by Lost Cosmonaut

I don't see how going 140mph makes any more pollution than going 80mph.

- LC

Your engine burns much more fuel and produces much more CO2 at high speeds, thus more pollution.

[rpiopio]

Hey Dante, looks like you're from Germany. What's your take?

Having driven on the Autobahn, I vote no restrictions. The world needs a road like that. Maybe I'll buy some pollution credits or install solar panels on my house to offset the mess that I create when tearing through that countryside.

[NFS]

Originally Posted by Lost Cosmonaut

I don't see how going 140mph makes any more pollution than going 80mph.

- LC

At 155 mph you will be getting pretty few miles to the gallon.

At 80mph you will average around 30mpg.

Carbon emissions are the new religion.

[Lost Cosmonaut]

Originally Posted by Dante

Your engine burns much more fuel and produces much more CO2 at high speeds, thus more pollution.

It all depends on the RPMs you're cruising at, not the speed.

Car companies in Germany could just as easily add a 7th (or 9th) granny gear to their cars that would cruise down the autobahn at 140mph but like 1500-2000 rpm and I'd bet you the emissions wouldn't be any more than a lower speed.

Besides, look at places in the states. We have some of the worse pollution in the world and we have incredibly restrictive speed limits. In fact, pollution goes UP in places where there's more traffic - more people sitting and idling or constantly stopping and starting. Those are much worse for pollution than going fast.

- LC

[Lost Cosmonaut]

Originally Posted by needforspeed

At 155 mph you will be getting pretty few miles to the gallon.

At 80mph you will average around 30mpg.

Carbon emissions are the new religion.

Meh. Like I said about the pollution, the MPG also depends on the RPMs.

For instance, at 145 my Subaru STi only got about 13mpg. Whereas, at 160 a Corvette C6 will get almost 20mpg simply because of gearing. The C6 Corvette will cruise at 160mph in the 2500-3000 rpm range, so the engine is barely working. On the other hand, my STi at 145 was pushing 4500rpm.

I've done alot of high-speed racing (legal open road racing in Nevada: www.sscc.us ) and gas mileage isn't dependant on speed so much as your final gearing.

- LC

[NFS]

Originally Posted by Lost Cosmonaut

Meh. Like I said about the pollution, the MPG also depends on the RPMs.

For instance, at 145 my Subaru STi only got about 13mpg. Whereas, at 160 a Corvette C6 will get almost 20mpg simply because of gearing. The C6 Corvette will cruise at 160mph in the 2500-3000 rpm range, so the engine is barely working. On the other hand, my STi at 145 was pushing 4500rpm.

I've done alot of high-speed racing (legal open road racing in Nevada: www.sscc.us ) and gas mileage isn't dependant on speed so much as your final gearing.

- LC

Agreed - cars could be geared to lower the rpm at high speeds, but they aren't - which was my point.

However, gearing alone would not overcome this because the negative effects of air and road friction increase exponentially with speed. More power will be required to overcome this, regardless of gearing.

[Jackbmw]

Could they just plant more trees?

If I can afford driving fast (more fuel consumption) I will do that and I don't need any permissions or laws for it. If I just want to go from A to B and save some money I will drive 90 km/h. Simple.

It seems to me that the European Parliament will soon regulate everything They should start from limiting stupidity and crazy ideas.

[Dante]

Originally Posted by rpiopio

Hey Dante, looks like you're from Germany. What's your take?

Having driven on the Autobahn, I vote no restrictions. The world needs a road like that. Maybe I'll buy some pollution credits or install solar panels on my house to offset the mess that I create when tearing through that countryside.

Of course I like driving without restrictions, but traffic in germany is getting heavier and heavier, especially on east-west connections. We have way too much foreign Trucks rolling through our country, as germany is a transit country. Going fast on the autobahn (especially those with 2 lanes) is getting pretty dangerous. Also there are more and more speed limits. Not much fun anymore.

I think a speed limit of 130 km/h on east-west connections as the A3 or the A6 would be a good thing, but not in general. I like going fast too much!

[ChrisM135i]

Also its most of the time not possible to go as fast as you can...
Dante said it very good.. the traffic is growing more and more in germany and the holes on the Autobahns are increasing also very well... :mad:

I think the main problem for the german autobahn is the bad road condition here and the politic, which spends only 40% of the money which is essential to keep the roads in a good condition.

Anyway.. the speed limit is crap! :rocks:
I want to go as fast as i can, when i have a good road, few traffic and enough fuel. The discussion of the speed limit in germany just came up because of the climate-report and the CO2 output...

[Anan]

Originally Posted by Lost Cosmonaut

It all depends on the RPMs you're cruising at, not the speed.

Car companies in Germany could just as easily add a 7th (or 9th) granny gear to their cars that would cruise down the autobahn at 140mph but like 1500-2000 rpm and I'd bet you the emissions wouldn't be any more than a lower speed.

Not true. Air resistance increases exponentially with speed.

[ehhhwik]

NOOOO.....I DERESTICTED AUTOBAHN