Can an American car go faster than 125 MPH?

Question

According to what I understand, American made cars are limited to 125 MPH. Upon reaching that speed I have been told the electrical system shuts down. The reason for this, as I understand it, is that police cars only reach speeds of 140 MPH, therefore the speed is regulated so you can't outrun police cars.

Answer 1

If you mean an actual American car (Ford or GMC) then maybe, because most of them don't go that fast anyway (except for the Corvette, Ford GT, and Viper), but if you mean a car in the United States than no way. Cars like Ferrari's and Porsche's could easily reach that speed (and yes in America). There are people that outrun the cops you know.

Answer 2

I'll add something to the above statements...Mostly any car can go over 125MPH, except most trucks/Suv's, it's not really about the power of the engine, rather, the tires that the manufacturer wishes to use. So tires are rated to certain speeds, so manufacturer's will put a speed governor so it doesn't exeed it.

So it's really about a cost issue they don't wish to pay a few extra bucks for the better tires, when in reality, most people wont drive that fast.

If you do go ahead and upgrade your tired, then you can get a chip that removes the governor accordingly.

Of course there's limits on everything, so matter how good the tires you place on a Scion, the engine can only reach a certain point, and/or the transmission, where there's no way it'll reach 125 MPH unless downhill. Or unless the person wishes to spend thousands on aftermarket engine upgrades to do so...

Then common sense would dictate? Why didnt they just get a faster car with a V6 or V8 rather than wasting all that money to upgrade? But to each his own...

Answer 3

My neighbor has a Dodge Neon that went through police radar (unfortunately) at 158 MPH. My 3/4 ton GMC truck is good for 135 MPH and is factory stock. My wife drives a Lincoln Town Car that I got caught going 130 MPH in last year. Based on these 3, I'd say you have been seriously misinformed and that many American cars will easily top 125 MPH. I did read somewhere that in factory tune one of the SUVs on the market (maybe the Explorer?) has its computer set to restrict or cut off fuel flow at about 100 MPH, but that was to reduce the likelihood of rollover accidents and was easily reset for about $50.00. Just not reset by ford is all.

Answer 4

Part of your statement is true and part is not. Yes, most american made cars are limited to 125mph (some even less) but not all. Corvettes and high cost cars can exceed that limit. My Honda Civic can hit 130mph no problem. A buddy of mine has a Civic ('06 Si) that hit 160 mph with some mods... Japanese cars are not limited as the american cars. My other friend has a 03 Cavalier and he can't go past 110... Mind you this is all stuff that we tried so this is not read from a magazine. Police cars can only got 140ish << true but you have to keep in mind that police have back-up, choppers, bikes and all that shi** that's gonna get you busted. I don't think that the limitors are put in because of police though, it's a company decision!!
Hope i helped answer your Q!

Answer 5

Don't think that is the case according to this:

"How fast are we talking? The entry point is a car that can do a minimum of 202 mph, but the top speeds can be as high as, in the case of the new Saleen S7 Twin Turbo--the world's fastest car and, last time we checked, America's most expensive car--260 mph. These are cars on an entirely different order of being, bearing as much resemblance to a normal passenger car as a tinfoil gum wrapper has to the Koh-i-noor diamond."

That is 260 MPH for the American car!

Answer 6

I think an American car can go faster than 125. Ford Mustangs GTs, Chrysler Crossfires, the list goes on. As far as being able to outrun police cars I think its a little difficult now, seeing that they use Chevrolet Camero's, Dodge Chargers, and Ford Mustangs GTs.

Answer 7

Different vehicles have different speed and rev limters. Several American cars can go 125+MPH.

FYI Police cars are very heavy. Crown Vics usually can't make it past 130MPH. Intrepids can do 138. Haven't driven the Magnum and Charger police packages yet.

Answer 8

many cars here are governed at 110 or so. my ram HEMI would cut out at about 108. my mustang would go over 125 with no issues. most automatic, non-sports cars do have some governing device that basically kills the engine's spark at a certain speed. the car is capable of going faster, but i think its for safey reasons that they do it. many jap cars do too. even civics, an automatic civic wont hit 125 stock, not sure a modified one would. my wifes lexus will do it with no trouble.
many are easy to disable.

and the guy that said "my pacifica goes all the way up to 160 and I tried it and it works " - I dont believe that.


the new jeep grand cherokee SRT with the 6.1L hemi top out at over 150MPH right off the showroom floor.

Answer 9

Completely untrue. The new Chevrolet Corvette has a top speed (factory package) of 198 mph.

In addition, many cars are altered with after market parts that allow cars to reach much higher speeds than factory specs dictate. Plus, you have the old vintage muscle cars and hot rods still on the road.

Answer 10

Wrong. Sounds like some crazy urban legend. The Corvette and Viper are just 2 that can easily top 125 mph.