Volvo to Limit Its Cars to 112 MPH in 2020

[oragex]

There are a lot of arguments when a service advisor calls and tells you your XYZ brand SUV that the wife drives and slows to 14 mph to turn off the highway into the Whole Foods parking lot, needs $1700 set of tires

I guess it's not easy indeed to tell the customer he needs a specific more expensive type of tire (speed and load index) for his car, because the company won't sell a cheaper lower speed index for liability issues. I've seen this at Costco and I guess it happens at all reputable garages, including a all main dealers. Most customers are not aware what a speed rating is and why does his car need a more expensive tire that can go at 140+mph - obviously he will mostly never drive at such speeds. I think lowering the max car speed will help a these situations

[93Regina]

I guess it's not easy indeed to tell the customer he needs a specific more expensive type of tire (speed and load index) for his car, because the company won't sell a cheaper lower speed index for liability issues.

In Europe, where government mandated inspections exist, I suspect they have a rule. In US, a tire professional is suppose to say

When selecting replacement tires, always follow all of the information listed on the vehicle’s tire information placard, which is typically located on the driver’s door, door jam or in the owner’s manual, when selecting replacement tires. The tire placard includes information such as the tire size, recommended inflation pressure, load index, and speed rating. Never install a tire with a load index that is lower than the original equipment tire listed on the placard or in the owner’s manual.

I've never heard of a lawsuit related to this topic, but defective tire lawsuits exist.

[oragex]

Where I live, we can go around this rule, I usually purchase the tires separately (or online) then go have them installed at a small garage. No mandatory inspections in my province.
But I guess at places with mandatory yearly inspections there is no way to go around (I know some US states also have these, and perhaps even in Canada, maybe in Ontario?)

[matthew1]

I don't like this. If you think they'll stop (no pun intended) at 112 you're not paying attention.

[jimmy57]

I'm not worried about the max speed being lowered excessively. The first time Volvo feels that they lose sales it will go up.
Maximum speed capability is SO much like seeing how far up the wall you can piss. The battle winner is also the one who gets the most piss splashed back on himself. In the case of speeds, finding out how fast you can go is potentially deadly or at least pisses off the LEO that stops you.
If any car maker sets the max speed too low for the audience they play to then it will harm the sales. Regular Volvo models getting a 112 limit is unlikely an issue for the bulk of buyers. If it is then it becomes the motive for paying the Polestar price. Several of the high price sport model makes have had HUGE price options for tire/wheel packages and brake packages and the higher max speed even with the same engine increases when you pay to play with those options. It is old news. 327 Chevy V8 option was $400 when that a a LOT of money for something that cost GM $10 to do to a 283 V8 car to make it a 327 car.

[precopster]

A great fix to this would be software specially authorised by dealers at track meets that disable the software and let the owner play Fangio for the day.....the best of both worlds and safe for moms going shopping with their offspring.

[RickHaleParker]

It is old news. 327 Chevy V8 option was $400 when that a a LOT of money for something that cost GM $10 to do to a 283 V8 car to make it a 327 car.

My self image is not lacking. I have no need for shelling out hard earned money to play the mine's bigger game.

Now you know why I don't spend time on the ones wanting to do engine mods. I'm not a Psychologist or a Therapist.

[June]

Really the only cars this is a dramatic loss in speed are the R snd T6 which were limited at 155mph the others were 130mph (at least the mid 2000s cars). Really the difference between 130 and 112 isn't that much.

My feeling is that I like to know it's there if I need it. Most common cars here in the States will not reach 155mph ie I can likely outrun a crazy on the open road if need be. There are crazies out there. Okay for you guys you never know when you might need to outrun a tornado on the open road . June

[matthew1]

I'm not worried about the max speed being lowered excessively. The first time Volvo feels that they lose sales it will go up.

True, barring a potential future agreement between the European car makers to have a common max speed, like the 1990s agreement between BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz to limit their cars to 155 MPH. https://www.autoevolution.com/news/gent ... 47736.html

I'm a slippery-slope cynic on this. Technology today provides so many avenues to nanny us, and the environment for nanny laws is favorable for a variety of reasons.

[93Regina]

I'm a slippery-slope cynic

Ain't no slippery-slope with autonomous vehicles....and if they gain wide spread "traction," insurance companies and government will eliminate city/highway speed demons, by law.