Once upon a time ... Full throttle
09/18/2024
Well, since the whole world, with one famous exception north of the Alps, has speed limits, this has largely been a thing of the past anyway. But even in Germany, cars are no longer demanded as much as they used to be. How many everyday drivers still drive their VW Golf 1.2 TSI over long distances at 200 km/h? But if a Beetle could reach 120 km/h in 1964, then these 120 km/h were also driven.
As engine performance has increased over the decades, the proportion of full throttle has steadily decreased due to dwindling necessity. Cars and passengers have benefited from this in equal measure. Because let's be honest: as much fun as it is to drive at maximum speed for short periods of time, it is a bit exhausting in the long run - for both man and machine.
The only car I've ever driven at full throttle over a long distance was the slowest one. We've known that ever since: We both don't like doing it. Three-quarter throttle is more than enough.
