Tag: autobahn

Autobahn to get speed limits in Porsche’s home state?

Filed under: Government/Legal, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche

Coat of Arms of Baden-Wuerttemberg

Voters in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, home to both Porsche and Mercedes-Benz, have elected the Green Party to power, and that change may end up being felt on the Autobahn. Automotive News reports that one of the promises made by the Greens was to implement a speed cap of 120 km/h (74.5 mph) on stretches of the Autobahn that are currently unrestricted.

According to Mercedes-Benz CEO Dieter Zetsche, speed limits aren’t good for business, noting that buyers from other countries view the Autobahn as part of the company’s formula for developing high-performing vehicles. “We’re well advised to maintain the Autobahn sections that don’t have a speed limit,” says Zetsche.

The new political leadership doesn’t see things that way. Winfried Kretschmann, who could soon be named State Premier, says the Autobahn contributes 30 percent of the area’s emissions. On the Green Party’s website, Kretschmann points the finger at the transportation, saying that the sector “has to make a contribution of its own to reduce this gas that’s harmful to the environment.”

[Source: Automotive News sub. req.]

Autobahn to get speed limits in Porsche’s home state? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 15:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: German Veyron owner’s crazy 220-mph Autobahn blast

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, Bugatti

Bugatti Veyron speedometer

Ride along in a Bugatti Veyron as it pushes to 220 mph – Click above to watch video after the jump

Imagine, for a moment, that you own a Bugatti Veyron. Wouldn’t you be curious to find out what it feels like to swing past 200 miles per hour? (Okay, stupid question.) While an abandoned runway à la Top Gear would be ideal, one German man decided to break the 200-mph barrier on the infamous Autobahn.

Running up to 353 kilometers per hour – just a hair over 219 mph – is insane on any public road regardless of the vehicle used. But if there’s any car we’d want to push that hard on the Autobahn, the Veyron would be it.

In an effort to clear a path, this Veyron owner fixed a set of police lights to the car, so naturally, other motorists would move out of the way. If the excessive speed is legal on this stretch of German motorway, which we don’t know for sure, the flashing lights are certainly not. While it’s not as reckless as our favorite Russian commuter and his motorcycle ride through Moscow, it’s high on the list of things we don’t condone (yet enjoy watching as long as no one gets hurt). Follow the jump to check it out. Thanks for the tip, Marco!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: German Veyron owner’s crazy 220-mph Autobahn blast

Video: German Veyron owner’s crazy 220-mph Autobahn blast originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BBC: 1M pedestrians party at banquet held on German Autobahn

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Humor

German pedestrians flood the Autobahn – click above to watch the video

The Germans certainly know how to do a block party. According to the BBC, residents between Duisburg and Dortmund have closed 40 miles of the famous Autobahn for one massive street festival. Organizers of the event handed out 20,000 tables in order to help create the longest table in the world as part of the celebration. At some point, the road was even closed to cyclists due to congestion.

Near as we can tell, the whole event was held to celebrate the Ruhr region as part of the area’s nomination as the Cultural Capital of Europe, 2010. Residents came out in droves to participate in everything from singing and dancing to street shows to mark the occasion. We’re guessing there was plenty of good food on hand, too. Sounds like a pretty good time to us, but we have a hard time believing that anyone on this side of The Pond would be okay with shutting down the 405 for a similar summer shindig. Check out some video footage of the big party on the Trans Europe Express – complete with appropriate Kraftwerk soundtrack – after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Gary!

[Sources: BBC, YouTube]]

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BBC: 1M pedestrians party at banquet held on German Autobahn originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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