Speed restriction to 115MpH

[gaby]

Perhaps things are different in the Uk. In Belgium, speed is the most important
factor in car accidents and accounts for 30% of all fatal accidents.
Something that may explain a difference between the UK and Belgium is of course
that cars drive on the right side (that is,the left side) of the road in the UK.

[Dibble]

Originally Posted by Haldex

I’ll put my money on this one. Same happened when they announced killing off inline 5, 6-cyl, etc. People were saying no one is gonna buy a XC90- class vehicle with a 4 cyl under the hood - but a couple of years later everyone is announcing no more V8s, downsizing V6s to 4-cyl + 48V electric, etc.. Unfortunately (IMO..) it is the end of the car industry as we know it - limitations are getting stricter and stricter - so Volvo may as well take a forward step and at least be the first to voluntarily limit the speed- just seconds before it becomes mandated..

On another note- I’m kind of glad I have one of the last ones that can still do 200+ km/h

That's 124 mph!

[Bashy]

Originally Posted by daverey

Do people really buy a V90 to take it on track days??? Don't get me wrong - I've got one and love it - but how it would perform and handle on a track was about the furthest thing from my mind when I bought it!!! The thing is about the biggest car out there you can get and it more akin to a hearse than a racing car!!!!

Originally Posted by techwatcher

I don't think Bashy was being entirely serious about track days, hence the 'wink' emoji...

Yeah, you're correct, mostly, it was a case in point, you could swap track days with the Autobahn i spose still, no matter where you are, my D5 would leave it standing, imagine it, you'd be driving down the road and thinking, that car is faster, that car too, oh and that one, damn it, they all are.............. ok, perhaps I'm being a little silly here and I suppose that people that do buy the car with restrictions at the top end are not the persons that would be interested in speed, Yorkshire, flat cap and a Whippet springs to mind or perhaps you're Morgan Freeman driving around a wee old lady. I can say that it would not be me, ever, I would prefer to choose another make or stick with the oldies...

[Gazdok]

Originally Posted by Hubband

I am writing two different posts because I would appreciate an actual answer to this question instead of an ideological discussion of the point at hand.

Could you explain, please? Thanks.

I found a few links to the T5D5 forum and a clip on YouTube about derestricting which involves a Dice - I sold mine when I sold my last V70 AWD, which was faster than 112 MpH - and VDash software, which you can download as freeware.

[Gazdok]

Originally Posted by Boatie

But more likely at 120 than 70.
Assuming the 112 - 115 is limited in the same way as the existing speed limiter you have normal performance up to the limit. Tell me where in the UK on a public road you can safely drive at 100 mph +

If you mean safe in the sense of danger this can be done on most British motorways. They are straight and wide enough just like the motorways in Germany. See accident statistics above

If safe refers to being ticketed by police for being over the speed limit then nowhere in the UK.

[laundryman]

Having experienced Belgian drivers on French Motorways not surprised at the high attrition rate. their 'ive indicated so i will change lane' method of driving is suicidal.
Like all things in life, travelling at speed is a matter of right place and right time. As an ex biker best i did was on a Kawasaki ZX10r just going past 175 indicated when i ran out of road and had to brake sharpish. Where? Isle of Man. When? TT week.
Do i think Volvo should speed limit their cars? No! My current car will be my last Volvo. Next will be Audi, unless i win the lottery!

[Bashy]

Originally Posted by laundryman

As an ex biker best i did was on a Kawasaki ZX10r just going past 175 indicated when i ran out of road and had to brake sharpish. Where? Isle of Man. When? TT week.

I pipped you by +10, GSXR1000 K4, that was as high as my digital speedo went, stopped dead at 185, getting there though, it was like a scud missile, and even though the speedo stopped, the revs kept climbing. I am sure yours was the same though depending on year, certainly the same years as mine was the same eyes off the tarmac at that speed to check the top end was deadly so I fitted a top speed recall, safer that way.....

[Zebra]

Speed doesn't kill!


Its coming to an abrupt halt that does that.

Unfortunately there will always be the halfwits whose confidence outwits their ability. As Covid lockdown lifted the first major trauma cases we saw at work were RTCs (road traffic collisions (not allowed to be accidents anymore)) involving speed over the national speed limit. This week in a 24 hours period we had 17 trauma calls in our major trauma centre in one 24 hour period.

Reducing the top speed of a vehicle is simplistic in the extreme. Yes it is a factor. But car maintenance, acceleration, weather, alcohol, time of day, experience of the driver are far more important factors. If restrictions are to be made on cars then they need to be related to the road that the car is on, the driver and the conditions all of which is possible with technology.

Personally I wouldn't want those restrictions but I would want proper penalties for those who flout the law or common sense. Driving on the public highway should be considered a privilege not a right and breeching the law in a way which causes harm to others should result in permanent suspension of that privilege.

Having slowed my driving over the past 10 years and noticed many doing the same I fail to see a reason why it is necessary to travel anything over 80mph (I am including most European speed limits in this catch all). Fuel costs and speed impact on my consumption is probably the driving factor behind speed reduction. The days of many cars running at 90mph+ on the motorway seem to be long gone. I am not convinced my journey times have suffered much as a consequence.

I am fortunate in normal times to drive on the continent on a regular basis. 65mph vs 81mph seems to make little difference to my overall journey. Driving faster simply seems to tire me, but then it might just be my age which has gone up one more today!!

To the original poster: Despite the trip to touring car racing many years ago buying into Volvo is buying into a brand obsessed with safety and changing the software on the vehicle seems a little pointless to me. I completely understand why it might make you move away to a different brand.

[Bashy]

Originally Posted by Zebra

I am fortunate in normal times to drive on the continent on a regular basis. 65mph vs 81mph seems to make little difference to my overall journey

You sound just like my late mum used to when we were kids, dad drove and it was always, "slow down, you wont get there any faster" say what now lol

In your example, you're looking at 16 more miles per hour, whats that, about 20% faster, so in my mind, that's considerable and you will make a 20% difference to you overall journey.

Disclaimer: my maths is crap so be nice

[Zebra]

Originally Posted by Bashy

You sound just like my late mum used to when we were kids, dad drove and it was always, "slow down, you wont get there any faster" say what now lol

In your example, you're looking at 16 more miles per hour, whats that, about 20% faster, so in my mind, that's considerable and you will make a 20% difference to you overall journey.

Disclaimer: my maths is crap so be nice

I am always nice. You are right ish. I just don't think it makes much difference. I arrive more relaxed, have spent significantly less on fuel and less risk of a ticket! I lose a bit of time. It is a fair swap but perhaps I was disingenuous not to clarify what I meant by difference.

600 miles to the Alps or thereabouts. 65mph takes 9 hours and 14 minutes ish, 81mph takes 7 hours and 24 minutes ish. Realistically with breaks and some of the journey is at 68mph it probably saves about 1.5 hours max. Its a holiday so I am not in a rush.