Read the NYTimes today - page A4 (photo of a Ruf 97) - article about Germany considering instituting speed limits on the "unlimited" portions of the Autobahn. The article says it may actually succeed since the emissions reduction would be sufficient to justify imposing the limits.

I have never driven it, but have always wanted to - wondering if my chances are slipping away....

Ruf was quoted and he essentially said the government did put a limit on the Autobahn back in 1973 during the oil crises, but quickly removed it due to the outcry from its citizens and the auto manufacturers.

 

It is a real trip cruising along at 120KM and have a turbo go by like you are standing still!

 

There won't be, it's like touching the 2nd amendment (sp?) in the States. That's something you simply don't mess with. More and more parts of the autobahn have gotten restricted though over the last years.

 

Yup, I doubt it will ever happen. They can't justify it by facts or figures because they can't prove more accidents happen where there aren't any limits.

And far from everybody hauls *** in the free zones so a 140 km/h limit for instance would not really change anything. They drive much faster in Italy.

 

I think the german citizens will repeat the actions from 1973, and demand it be instituted, if the law does change. The few times I have been to Germany helps you appreciate why they make the cars the way they do. They love cars........fast cars.........and WE KNOW all about that by enjoying thier designs.

 

The article acknowledged the veracity of your statement as well; however, they are using the argument of decreasining emissions - which is provable and quantifiable. Germany is the largest emitter of emissions in Europe. THe funniest part is that the Greeks are the one who suggested the EU impose these restrictions!

 

LOL - Greeks of all people! What would be interesting to do is to measure the actual emissions from ze Germans, because I would bet 70-80% of all cars in Germany are modern, efficient diesels. Emissions divided by cars on the road are probably a lot less than, say Scandinavia where cars average 8+ years old.

It would be devastating for the modern society if this went through. What's next - they're restricting the speed of airplanes? And then what.. Chainsaws?

Hopefully we will run out of oil before the limits are introduced

 

The last time I was in Athens I had to recouperate in an Oxygen Tent for 3 weeks!

I think there is a lot of truth in your last statement; I think Al Gore's goofy movie poses a poignant argument: The faster we use up the gas, the faster we get to alternative fuels.

BUY A 12 CYL TODAY!!!

 

Ze Germans actually did ze math and they worked out that imposing speed limits would reduce cardon dioxide emissions by something like 0.5% so they basically told the EU to bugger off. Besides, 98% of the German roads are already restricted.