Some cars are designed to go almost 2X the max speed limit in the whole country. Why build cars this way?

Question

Why not only build cars to only go 120kmh. This will reduce so many accidents and problems on the road with people speeding. 0nly government vehicles such as ambulances etc... should be made so that they can go higher speed. Are there any countries in the world that has a system where cars are made to only go at maximum speed limit +- 10.

Answer 1

German cars are generally designed for high speeds because they are allowed to go high speeds (autobahn)

American cars and Japanese cars dont want to be outdone :-P

also horse power sells cars, even in these times of gas prices at over $4 a gallon here in good ol' California. if an engine tops out at 80mph then the power of the motor would be similar to the geo metro and we know how that turned out. if you could design a car that had enough torque to propel the car like a normal car but still topped out at 80 because of lack of horsepower then sell it to GM or Ford.

i guess the answer is that to have a car and be able to sell it to the masses it needs the torque to perform at lower speeds and the horse power just come with that.

in the words of Caroll Shelby "horse power sells cars but torque wins races."

Answer 2

none that i know of,that's what people want cars that will go fast,even though the speed limit s 55-65 they still continue to build cars that will run in excess of 120+ ,go figure it ,we have all these high gas prices and people still want to drive fast and waste gas,it doesn't add up ,good luck.

Answer 3

A large number of wrecks are alcohol related and text messenger/ cell phone related.(cell phone users exhibit the same characteristics as drunk drivers). Yet, the government  won't outlaw liquor or cell phones.

Its shown that those who are  in accidents caused by speed or reckless driving are usually under 27 years old, yet, the government won't raise the driving age.

What you propose is mere feel-good legislation that would give the State still more power over you without addressing the root of the problem.

Answer 4

I'd never buy a car with a speed limiter on it. I like to drive fast....*vrooom*

Answer 5

Steep hills.  They need the power to climb steep hills.

With maximum passengers, keeping up with freeway speed up a steep hill is the earmark of a good car.

Answer 6

A small percentage of fast cars are actually raced.  This is where they need the top speed.

Answer 7

everyone loves speed even tho most of them arent going to use it they like having it there knowing they can

Answer 8

Because there are some situations where there is simply no substitute for acceleration, A cars ability to quickly go from 60mph to 90 mph can be a lifesaver at times

Case in point:You're driving on one of the high speed 2 lane roads of the US West  such as US 89 or US 93

You're doing posted , you come up on an RV that is 10 mph below posted , you snap left and legally pull out into the oncoming traffic lane to pass  the RV

The name of the game is then simple ;the less time that you spend hanging-out in the oncoming traffic lane the safer you are

The same situation happens on hills .If you can easily pass going uphill then life is good indeed

Answer 9

This is done by the manufacturers to attract buyers and make money, speed sells cars.....

Answer 10

don't know if you're an idiot or what, but do you know that most of faster driver are actually safer driver,

it was the slower drivers who refuse to get their butts out of the left lane, that's causing the accidents.

take a look at autobahn, the famous german super highway, where speed is no capped, they have much lower accident rate than the US.

remember fast drivers also look out for cops, so they are always alert, while slower drivers do not gives a s**t, and they are alot of time inattentive, and alot of drift off to catnaps