Volvo to Limit Its Cars to 112 MPH in 2020

Post by **oragex** » 06 Mar 2019, 20:01

Volvo to limit its cars to 112 mph in 2020

https://www.theguardian.com/business/20 ... -cars-2020

Not sure if there is already a topic on this (sometimes I have trouble finding the forum topic with a subject on the main website page) but I though about starting one if there's none

What do you people think about this ? Volvo says the official reason behind this is for the safety - less speed, less dangerous in case of a crash. And yes, this includes that cars that will be sold in Germany. I don't think there are many crashes at speeds above 110mph , compared with the crashes at legal speeds, not sure if this will change anything. But personally I've always wondered why do cars have engines that go 150mph+ when the speed limits in North America are under 70mph or so? In Europe it's a different thing but even there most countries have speed limits for under 85mph.

What is the real reason behind this speed limitation from Volvo ? Could it be to help a little marketing the future hybrid and electric models that may not be designed to reach high speeds in order to offer a more efficient design and range ?

Post by **jimmy57** » 06 Mar 2019, 22:24

1. the market for Volvo products is not with persons who care about speeds like that. I dare say that except the 2004-2007 R models and the few Polestar editions, that if Volvo had put fart scent dispensers that sprayed at 113 MPH that it would be a very rare day that anyone would show up at a dealer complaining that they went fast and their car smelled like farts.
2. I agree about the electric drive. The current hybrids open the clutch at 108-112 due to the motor rotor having risk of failure. To make the top operating speed faster would likely take a gearbox with a higher speed 2nd gear.

Post by **precopster** » 07 Mar 2019, 03:29

Jimmy I think you're finally on to something......about the fart scent dispensers I mean..

All this time I insisted on leather seats when I could have had fabric mildew munchers.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 07 Mar 2019, 04:21

They'll be able to make the cars cheaper with brakes, chassis etc not having to deal with as high speeds. Lower speed index tyres are cheaper and often more comfortable as well. Not that I think the cars will be cheaper to buy for it.

That and marketing.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 07 Mar 2019, 05:15

Guarding Volvo's hard earned safety statistics from the idiots.

Makes a whole lot more sense then the USA 1979 NHTSA bill that limited Speedometers to 85 MPH but did not require a speed governor.

Post by **oragex** » 07 Mar 2019, 08:25

Rattnalle wrote: ↑07 Mar 2019, 04:21 They'll be able to make the cars cheaper with brakes, chassis etc not having to deal with as high speeds. Lower speed index tyres are cheaper and often more comfortable as well. Not that I think the cars will be cheaper to buy for it.

That and marketing.

I took think lower max speed index tires may be offering a little better ride at a lower cost. Too many new cars come with cheap tires with high speed index. Maybe they will be able to offer better quality tires on new cars. Replacement tires will be cheaper as well. That's a good plus

Post by **jimmy57** » 07 Mar 2019, 08:57

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 at 21K miles. The current fitment of summer tires that SUCK in cold weather and on ice or snow is also not well accepted by people in areas where the bad weather is rare and not usual. I live next to a large 55 over neighborhood and the mass of C7 Corvettes there could likely all have T speed rated tires and no one would ever know or care. Go fast cars are driven to something further up in their capability window by so few of their owners ever.
In Europe where there are some roads with no speed limit, likely a different story.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 07 Mar 2019, 09:21

jimmy57 wrote: ↑07 Mar 2019, 08:57 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 at 21K miles. The current fitment of summer tires that SUCK in cold weather and on ice or snow is also not well accepted by people in areas where the bad weather is rare and not usual. I live next to a large 55 over neighborhood and the mass of C7 Corvettes there could likely all have T speed rated tires and no one would ever know or care. Go fast cars are driven to something further up in their capability window by so few of their owners ever.
In Europe where there are some roads with no speed limit, likely a different story.

Only the Germans are crazy when it comes to speed. And that's going away bit by bit. Even there the limit that Volvo is adding won't be an issue for 99% of drivers.

Small tyres are great. Test winning big brand summer tyres cost $70 each. Winter tyres a bit more expensive but I drive fewer miles and slower on those.

Post by **June** » 08 Mar 2019, 06:39

Dont forget the performance minded Volvo customers will have the Polestar separate brand. I'll bet the 112 mph won't apply to the Polestar.

The T6 S80 is electronically limited to 250 kmh as the R cars. I take comfort in knowing if I wish I can exceed 150 mph. So I definitely keep the factory W rated MXM4 Michelin tires. If the car is capable of obtaining the speed for a W or Y rated tire I feel they should be used. You never know what may occur and need to obtain high speed. I think for s a service advisor to recommend a tire less than the cars required standard is criminal. Volvo puts a lot of research in every aspect of every model for safety. They know best. June

Post by **Rattnalle** » 08 Mar 2019, 07:23

June wrote: ↑08 Mar 2019, 06:39 Dont forget the performance minded Volvo customers will have the Polestar separate brand. I'll bet the 112 mph won't apply to the Polestar.

The T6 S80 is electronically limited to 250 kmh as the R cars. I take comfort in knowing if I wish I can exceed 150 mph. So I definitely keep the factory W rated MXM4 Michelin tires. If the car is capable of obtaining the speed for a W or Y rated tire I feel they should be used. You never know what may occur and need to obtain high speed. I think for s a service advisor to recommend a tire less than the cars required standard is criminal. Volvo puts a lot of research in every aspect of every model for safety. They know best. June

Recommending all season tyres should be criminal as well

I'd never drive that fast on a pair of those. Especially in Florida heat.