Why No Speed Limiter On Aussie Cars?

[upsidedown]

Does anyone have any thoughts on why we don't get the speed limiter function included with the adaptive cruise when it seems other countries have it? It doesn't seem as if it would have been too hard to implement considering all the hardware is already there for the adaptive cruise.

 

[Fergalis]

Does anyone have any thoughts on why we don't get the speed limiter function included with the adaptive cruise when it seems other countries have it? It doesn't seem as if it would have been too hard to implement considering all the hardware is already there for the adaptive cruise.

Goodness, all those wide open spaces and you want a Nanny State limiting your fun? I'm not familiar with your country's road speed laws, but I had a faint hunch there were some roads in the Northern Territory have or had open speed limits? Or is that an old fable? I say enjoy it while you can. Over here in the Kiwi land, the State Transport Agency has recently published its estimates for what road accidents cost the country each year, and it's not hard to envisage a future political climate of increasing control over vehicle performance parameters, including electronic speed limiting according to road design, local speed limits and conditions. By then we might as well all be riding in fluffy marshmallow pods for all the enjoyment that will bring.

 

[upsidedown]

Goodness, all those wide open spaces and you want a Nanny State limiting your fun? I'm not familiar with your country's road speed laws, but I had a faint hunch there were some roads in the Northern Territory have or had open speed limits? Or is that an old fable? I say enjoy it while you can. Over here in the Kiwi land, the State Transport Agency has recently published its estimates for what road accidents cost the country each year, and it's not hard to envisage a future political climate of increasing control over vehicle performance parameters, including electronic speed limiting according to road design, local speed limits and conditions. By then we might as well all be riding in fluffy marshmallow pods for all the enjoyment that will bring.

I think you misunderstand what the speed limiter function does. It is so you can SET a speed that the car doesn't go over no matter how hard you press the accelerator. So in a 50 kmh urban speed zone you can set it at 50 kmh so that is all the car will do. That will at least help prevent me from getting a ticket from our over zealous police if I stray too far from the speed limit without knowing it.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Goodness, all those wide open spaces and you want a Nanny State limiting your fun? I'm not familiar with your country's road speed laws, but I had a faint hunch there were some roads in the Northern Territory have or had open speed limits? Or is that an old fable? I say enjoy it while you can. Over here in the Kiwi land, the State Transport Agency has recently published its estimates for what road accidents cost the country each year, and it's not hard to envisage a future political climate of increasing control over vehicle performance parameters, including electronic speed limiting according to road design, local speed limits and conditions. By then we might as well all be riding in fluffy marshmallow pods for all the enjoyment that will bring.

I agree I don’t need any more nanny controls in my life...too many already. Open speed limits in NT are true, it was banned for a while but has since been reinstated. Sorry @Fergalis you guys get some decent speed up & you will fall off the other side of the island in the blink of an eye, lucky you have the Brembos.......lol only joking bro.....

 

[Fergalis]

I think you misunderstand what the speed limiter function does. It is so you can SET a speed that the car doesn't go over no matter how hard you press the accelerator. So in a 50 kmh urban speed zone you can set it at 50 kmh so that is all the car will do. That will at least help prevent me from getting a ticket from our over zealous police if I stray too far from the speed limit without knowing it.

You're absolutely right, I didn't read your post properly, but it was also a bit tongue n cheek (aussies and kiwis like to poke the borax at each other). I've not yet driven a Stinger, so have yet to come to terms with what it does and doesn't do, but it does seem odd what you say. Since we get the same models in NZ as OZ, what you say is of concern.

 

[Fergalis]

I agree I don’t need any more nanny controls in my life...too many already. Open speed limits in NT are true, it was banned for a while but has since been reinstated. Sorry @Fergalis you guys get some decent speed up & you will fall off the other side of the island in the blink of an eye, lucky you have the Brembos.......lol only joking bro.....

LOL

 

[Let's Drive It]

Adaptive cruise pretty much negates the need for speed limiters, when limiters were being used - mostly by Holden, coincidentally, adaptive cruise was only available on the top end...LEXUS, Mercedes etc...
The idea with adaptive is you just bring it down to the desired target, and it will hold you to that as a maximum, but if you are in a limited area - say a school zone, you will only go as fast as the car in front anyway.
So, realistically, why add a layer of complexity that is not required?
As an aside, adaptive cruise (each manufacturer has its own name) is really good in poor visibility, AV8R may have some experience of this, by locking on the car in front, set your distance to maximum, you will only ever go as fast as they do, and maintain a set distance...I used it once in a hailstorm on a highway, zero visibility, so I tagged onto a semi, and followed him through the storm...not that he could see any better, but if he braked, so did my car...

 

[upsidedown]

Adaptive cruise pretty much negates the need for speed limiters

Ah no it doesn't. If I am driving in a built up 50kmh area where I have to turn at many intersections within a short space of time then why would I engage the adaptive cruise only to have it cancelled by me braking, then put it on again, and then cancelled by the braking, etc etc, when a perfectly good speed limiter would be ideal

So, realistically, why add a layer of complexity that is not required

And what level of complexity are we talking about? Do you mean the one that is already mentioned in the Australian owners manual that you get with the car. So we don't get that function but somewhere in the world does as it obviously wouldn't be mentioned otherwise. I mean reading about how to use the function doesn't seem overly complex and it certainly wasn't hard to use when I drove a Mazda CX-5 which I hadn't driven before.

 

[Let's Drive It]

Sorry if I upset you...

Was just offering some thoughts, as per the original post about why they haven't fitted it...but that's ok, you have your opinion, and it is cool...

 

[upsidedown]

Sorry if I upset you...

Was just offering some thoughts, as per the original post about why they haven't fitted it...but that's ok, you have your opinion, and it is cool...

Yes all good each to there own as they say. I guess I'm a little pissed that they have it overseas but not here for no apparent reason at least that I can see?

Have a good day and enjoy the beautiful one day perfect the next weather

 

[Let's Drive It]

It is a double-edged sword, like most technologies, yes, it will stop you driving beyond a set speed, a la my wife's Peugeot, but it does not stop over-runs where the car is coasting, i.e. downhill, and if you have not turned it off, but need a sudden burst of speed, it stops you dead in your tracks, no matter what...
I am fortunate in my roles with various magazines and now the YouTube channel 'Let's Drive It', I am driving a different car every week, from a variety of manufacturers, so I get to see the best and the worst of the different applications, from genius to god-awful...don't feel you are necessarily missing out, but it does lead you to question why some countries get it, and not others.
Some years ago, I was asked what KIA should fit, it was an either/or choice, not both, Stability Control or an extra airbag...after much thought I said Stability Control, on the basis it would help reduce the severity of the impact, where the airbag would only cushion the blow...but they wouldn't do both, in the end, based on the opinions of the journalists polled, they introduced Stability Control first, the extra airbag came a couple of years later...sometimes the decision is driven by the $$$, to maintain the profit margin, they control the cost, silly as it sounds, it could even be the reason for this decision, I will see if KMAu will offer up a statement.
Similarly, when Toyota built the TRD Aurion, with supercharged V6, it was supposed to be AWD, but that was too expensive, so they approved the engine upgrade - 300 and a little horsepower - but it was FWD...that was a car that was actively trying to kill you, great fun, but you never relaxed while driving it, had a mind of its own...
A bit off-topic, but trying to give some examples of similar decisions in the past...

 

[upsidedown]

Yes I thought that it might have been cost based but I had to think about what cost? The switch is already there (adaptive cruise switch) so according to the owners manual no extra hardware required. So only some software that is already on overseas models. I'm sorry but it doesn't make too much sense to me! Anyway it would be good if you are in a position to ask KMAu what the reason is? And while you are talking to them please convey all the negative opinions on this forum about there being no true manual mode. Thanks.

 

[Let's Drive It]

No problem...I will be talking with them next week, will copy the address and suggest they take a look, even if only to keep up with what fans and followers are saying...
I am driving a 330Si right now, and will be getting a 200S in late March at this stage, so it will be interesting to compare how they go...the 200S will be slower, but I am looking at it from an overall perspective.
Funny that everyone is comparing Stinger with ZB Commodore, have yet to hear anyone talk about the Ford Mondeos...there is a lot to like in that package also, and it is virtually kg-for-kg same as new Commodores...probably because Ford didn't rebadge it Falcon I guess...

 

[Let's Drive It]

If you are in Southeast Queensland, and are able to get out at short notice, we will have the 330Si at 'Friday Night at Munchies' tonight, from about 6.30pm.
The address is:
Elizabeth St Shopping Centre, corner Beaudesert Rd, Acacia Ridge, feel free to come have a look at the car, say hi, we are not filming, too dark, but it is good to meet up with other enthusiasts, never know where story ideas come from...