Latest news with #autobahn
The Guardian
06-08-2025
- Automotive
- The Guardian
Speeding driver clocked doing 199mph on German autobahn
German police have clocked a Porsche driver doing 199mph (320km/h) on the autobahn, nearly three times the speed limit for that stretch of motorway. Even in a car-mad country gripped by the need for speed, the report from the A2 near Burg in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt made national headlines. Police said the motorist, whose name and age were not released, faced a €900 (£785) fine and a three-month suspension of his licence among other penalties. Germany's autobahns are the stuff of legend for many drivers, given the absence of a general speed limit. But significant parts of the motorway network do have a cap, particularly in more congested areas. Roadworks also often lead to the enforcement of temporary maximum speeds. The stretch of motorway where the driver of the Porsche Panamera, a luxury car that retails at more than €100,000, was caught on radar had an upper limit of 75mph (120 km/h). He was detected in late July, but police only released data collected from the trap this week. The A2, which runs from the Ruhr valley to Berlin's ring road, is known for lengthy traffic jams, which had cut down on major speed violations of late, local media reported. However, a Bugatti driver was clocked at 259mph on the A2 in 2021, near the state capital, Magdeburg. He allegedly even took his hands from the wheel for a few seconds and was accused of joining an illegal race – a common problem on German roads – but the case did not lead to a conviction due to lack of evidence. Racing enthusiasts, who often gather from across Europe, commonly zero in on long, straight stretches of public roads that they illegally block, and sometimes autobahn sections without a speed limit. With most of Germany on summer school holidays, police in Saxony-Anhalt are carrying out what the regional public broadcaster MDR called a 'speed camera marathon', setting up radar traps on notorious stretches of road across the state. Radars such as the one that caught the Porsche driver are mounted on mobile 'enforcement trailers'. Police had recorded hundreds of violations only this week, MDR reported. Regional police used the extraordinary case of the Porsche driver to issue an appeal to motorists. Sign up to This is Europe The most pressing stories and debates for Europeans – from identity to economics to the environment after newsletter promotion Geschwindigkeitsüberschreitungen, or exceeding the speed limit, 'endangers not only the driver himself but also all those on the roads', the force said in a statement. 'Respect the speed rules. That way you'll be on your way safely and avoid high fines, penalty points and driving bans.' Advocates of nationwide speed limits have long cited safety and climate concerns to make their case. The debate has failed to produce any real momentum towards new legislation though, as driving clubs and the auto lobby call the freedom of the autobahn a cherished right and part of Germany's cultural heritage.
The Guardian
06-08-2025
- Automotive
- The Guardian
Speeding driver clocked doing 199mph on German autobahn
German police have clocked a Porsche driver doing 199mph (320km/h) on the autobahn, nearly three times the speed limit for that stretch of motorway. Even in a car-mad country gripped by the need for speed, the report from the A2 near Burg in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt made national headlines. Police said the motorist, whose name and age were not released, faces a €900 (£785) fine and a three-month suspension of his licence among other penalties. Germany's autobahns are the stuff of myth for many drivers, given the absence of a general speed limit. But significant parts of the motorway network do have a cap, particularly in more congested areas. Roadworks also often lead to the enforcement of temporary maximum speeds. The stretch of motorway where the driver of the Porsche Panamera, a luxury car that retails at more than €100,000, was caught on radar had an upper limit of 75 mph (120 km/h). He was detected in late July, but police only released data collected from the trap this week. The A2, which runs from the Ruhr valley to Berlin's ring road, is known for lengthy traffic jams which have cut down on major speed violations of late, local media reported. However a Bugatti driver was clocked at 417 km/h on the A2 in 2021, near the state capital Magdeburg. He allegedly even took his hands from the wheel for a few seconds and was accused of joining an illegal race – a common problem on German roads – but the case did not lead to a conviction due to lack of evidence. Racing enthusiasts, who often gather from across Europe, commonly zero in on long, straight stretches of public roads that they illegally block, and sometimes autobahn sections without speed limit. With most of Germany on summer school holidays, police in Saxony-Anhalt are carrying out what the regional public broadcaster MDR called a 'speed camera marathon', setting up radar traps on notorious stretches of road across the state. Radars such as the one that caught the Porsche driver are mounted on mobile 'enforcement trailers'. Police have recorded hundreds of violations only this week, MDR reported. Regional police used the extraordinary case of the Porsche driver to issue an appeal to motorists. Sign up to This is Europe The most pressing stories and debates for Europeans – from identity to economics to the environment after newsletter promotion 'Geschwindigkeitsüberschreitungen, or exceeding the speed limit, 'endangers not only the driver himself but also all those on the roads', the force said in a statement. 'Respect the speed rules, that way you'll be on your way safely and avoid high fines, penalty points and driving bans.' Advocates of nationwide speed limits have long cited safety and climate concerns to make their case. The debate has failed to produce any real momentum towards new legislation though, as driving clubs and the auto lobby call the freedom of the autobahn a cherished right and part of Germany's cultural heritage.
Forbes
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Chinese EVs Winning Big Across Europe, But Germany Resists
Chinese electric vehicles are barnstorming across Europe, but Germany, the continent's biggest market, is proving a tougher nut to crack. German consumers are harder to please and demand higher speeds over long distances which EVs can't handle. And in the country where Porsche, BMW, Mercedes and Audi are domiciled, they are reluctant to concede anyone else can match these thoroughbreds. 'Chinese manufacturers are really struggling in Germany, accounting for less than 2% of the new car market, which is less than half of the regional average of just over 5%,' Schmidt Automotive Research founder Matt Schmidt said. 'A Chinese incursion here looks the least likely out of all European markets,' Schmidt said in an email exchange. German drivers have a taste for speed and some of their autobahns still have no limits. EVs are very poor at sustained cruising at high speeds. Even keeping to most of Europe's 130 km/h (81 mph) speed limit the best-performing high-speed EVs like the Tesla Model 3's 240 miles would be less than half the range of a cheap diesel. Brand awareness is strong in Germany. It would take a supersalesman to persuade someone thinking of buying a Porsche, BMW, Mercedes or Audi to consider a NIO, Xpeng, Zeekr or BYD's Yangwang or Denza. But sales of Chinese brands in general and EVs in particular were strong across Europe in the first half of 2025 in an overall market that slipped a bit. European sales of sedans and SUVs slid 4.4% in June to 1.3 million. Chinese sales posted a record market share in June surpassing 5%. 'The market share of Chinese car brands in the first half of 2025 almost doubled from the same period last year to a new record 5.1%,' said JATO Dynamics in a report. BYD, Jaecoo, Omoda, Leapmotor and Xpeng lead 'Five automakers are driving this rapid growth: BYD, Jaecoo, Omoda, Leapmotor and Xpeng. BYD, which has been particularly aggressive in its pricing strategy, registered 70,500 sales in H1 2025 – a year-on-year increase of 311%. In June alone, BYD registered 15,565 vehicles, entering the top-selling 25 brands and outselling Mini and Jeep,' according to the report. Many of these sales were EVs, with some plug-hybrids and internal combustion engines. In Germany, EV sales advanced 35% to just under 250,000 in the first half, compared with the same period last year. Volkswagen and its brands like Skoda, Audi and Cupra, led by the VW ID.7, provided eight of the top 10 models. The only exceptions were the Tesla Model Y and BMW iX1. Not one was Chinese. Mercedes, Fords, Hyundais and Toyotas were in the top 10. Not one was Chinese. BYD has been making big progress across other European markets. MG, owned by SAIC Motor Corp Ltd has been selling well in the U.K. According to Dr Michael Putz, managing partner at Automodicted consulting, Chinese EV makers have big ambitions for Germany, despite initial difficulties. A 10% market share is a credible target. 'Capturing 20% of the German market is possible for Chinese manufacturers, but it will be a bit of a stretch. Over the last 15+ years, the share of non-European car brands in Germany has been stable at around 20%. Breaking through this entrenched loyalty will require great products at a very low price. This way, Chinese manufacturers could buy their way into the German car market by offering generous rebates.' Putz said in an email exchange. 'I think, however, that they will be more than happy with around 10%, which I think is a realistic target; 10% market share corresponds to an annual revenue potential of about $18 billion,' Putz said. EVs fail at long-distance high-speed cruising German's taste for high speeds needs to be addressed, Putz said. 'Most Chinese EVs are not made for sustained high speeds and they will have to work on their product substance like battery thermal management to make sure their cars are fit for the autobahn. They must also communicate this well, so customers realise what their cars are capable of,' he said. 'One thing might help them though is the fact that not many European EVs are made for racing speeds either . EV users have gotten used to the fact that driving fast on highways is not an option if they want to go far on one charge, due to the physics of air resistance. This is a hurdle for EV adoption in general, not limited to Chinese brands,' Putz said. This long-range high-speed cruising weakness in EVs is the truth which dare not speak its name amongst electric car aficionados. London-based Geotab, which describes itself as a global leader in connected vehicle solutions, posed the question 'Summer heat versus speed: what really impacts EV range?' Geotab said aerodynamic drag has a far greater effect on range. 'The data shows that even modest increases in speed lead to steep range losses. For example, a 65-kWh electric van cruising at 50 mph in 30°C heat with the air conditioning on has a typical range of around 143 miles. Increase that speed to 60 mph, and range drops to 121 miles. At 70 mph it falls further to 103 miles, and by 80 mph, you're down to just 88 miles. That's a 39% drop in range between 50 and 80 mph.' German success key to Europe 'The pattern is similar for electric sedans, though they're slightly more aerodynamic. At 50 mph at 30°C, you can expect 277 miles. At 60 mph: 251 miles. At 70 mph: 226 miles. And at 80 mph: 200 miles - a 28% drop from the most efficient cruising speed,' according to Geotab. Schmidt points out the difficulties for the Chinese in Germany are exaggerated because this huge market is the key to success in Europe. 'Given German consumer preferences for patriotic purchasing, the domination of German premium manufacturers in Germany and the fleet market dominance, which requires high levels of stable residual prices to make the financing business models work, results in a Chinese incursion here looking the least likely here out of all European markets.' 'The problem for the Chinese is because Germany is the highest volume market and is key to building European scaling advantages and would play a large part in justifying a local European production facility,' Schmidt said.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Yahoo
10 crucial mistakes to avoid when driving long-distance with kids
Getting anywhere with children can be painful. Even a trip to the supermarket is likely to involve 'Are we nearly there yet?', loud singing, sibling arguments and, potentially, an unscheduled nap. Venture further and the problems multiply. Motion sickness, toileting accidents and boredom-induced tantrums become the norm. Don't let it ruin your holiday. Here are the dos and don'ts of navigating the longest of journeys peacefully and drama-free. 1. Don't take the scenic route Yes, that mountain pass comes with unsurpassed views. But it also involves endless switchbacks guaranteed to elicit vomit from anyone under the age of 12. If people in the car are prone to motion sickness, it might be better to stick to the motorway, or choose a less windy destination altogether. 2. Do factor in loo stops There's nothing worse than the dreaded backseat jiggle when you're stuck in a traffic jam or driving the narrow curves of a coast road. Stopping on either for a quick tinkle could be unsafe – and, in some places, illegal (unscheduled breaks on Germany's autobahn can result in prosecution). Plan toilet stops before you set out to avoid anyone being caught short – and keep an eye on the satnav so you can take an emergency break pre-pile-up. 3. Don't let them choose the music When you've listened to The Duck Song on repeat for the length of the Channel Tunnel, it won't just be the children bringing tears and tantrums to the car. Make a playlist of things that you all enjoy, choose family-friendly stories such as the brilliantly comforting A Bear called Paddington read by Stephen Fry – or give them a device with headphones and Spotify if they're old enough to manage the music themselves. 4. Don't leave the tablets too late If your child needs travel sickness pills to stop them being ill, note that these usually need a bit of time to kick-in before they start to work. For Kwells Kids, it's 20 to 30 minutes before the journey. And beware of other things that might exacerbate motion sickness, such as too much sun, a lack of fresh air or strong-smelling food in the car. 5. Do keep a change of clothes to hand Sickness, surprise wees or even just a few errant dribbles of service station ice cream make keeping everything in the suitcase seem like folly. Have a spare set of clothes in the car for emergencies to avoid the dreaded boot rummage. 6. Don't leave early That's when the world and his wife will be leaving, while a smug few start out at lunchtime and arrive in exactly the same amount of time. If you're determined to beat the traffic, early really has to mean before 7am. In our (very unofficial) study using Google Maps, leaving south east London at 8.59am meant getting to Newquay 5 hours and 37 minutes later. Leaving after lunch at 2pm, just in time for toddler naps and after a sustaining lunch, added just 20 minutes to the journey. 7. Do factor in nap time Most young children eventually fall asleep in the car. But, unless the journey is during nap or night time, it means they're likely to be wide awake for much longer than they should be at the other end. Consider tag-teaming the drive late in the evening and transferring kids straight to bed at your destination, or finish an afternoon nap with a stop for fresh air and a runaround to wake them up before continuing onwards. 8. Don't pick the wrong car seat The journey from toddler seat to booster is a rite of passage for some kids (to embark on it, they must weigh more than 15kg by law, while new boosters are only made for those more than 22kg). But, on long journeys, those who have just made the transition may find things uncomfortable due to a lack of support and, potentially, a seat belt that digs in. If they're still also within the weight and height restrictions for their previous seat, consider swapping back for a long journey. It's also worth noting that Which? research found backless boosters unsafe, stating that 'booster seats offer very little protection in a crash, particularly if the vehicle is hit from the side'. 9. Don't ignore are-we-nearly-there-yet boredom Unless you want to deal with long, tear-stained stretches, have things on hand for when tedium strikes. Games help (see below), but so do snacks and small presents (keep them in the front and dole them out to surprised 'ooohs'). Smaller children will love sticker books and toys made especially for the car, such as activity trays and pretend steering wheels (make sure there is an adult in the back to supervise younger kids). 10. Don't let them get too hot Irritability or, worse, a bout of sickness can be sparked by a sweltering car journey. Consider shades for the back windows, water bottles that have been kept in the freezer, and car-seat fans if the air conditioning doesn't quite cut it. If you're planning a long drive in the heat, it might even be worth considering a Noggle – a device which attaches to an air conditioning vent in the front of the car and directs cool air into the back. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Solve the daily Crossword
National Post
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- National Post
Germany's autobahn cracks as heat wave strikes Europe
Germany will carry out emergency repairs on its autobahn this weekend after extreme heat in recent days blew up large chunks of concrete along key stretches of the highway. Article content Temperatures of up to 39C caused the material to expand and crack open roads in various parts of the country, leading to hours-long traffic jams. With summer breaks beginning in many German states on Friday, repair works over the weekend are set to impact traffic flows further. Article content Article content Article content The phenomenon known as 'blow-ups' occurs when concrete expands and has nowhere to go, leading to sudden fractures or cracks. It mostly affects older, heavily used or previously repaired highways during high temperatures, especially ones that aren't layered with asphalt. German authorities have prepared for the event by lowering speed limits along older sections of the road during summer — a noticeable measure in the only industrialized nation without a general speed limit on highways. Article content Article content Germany and the wider region have faced increasingly intense and frequent heat waves, with Europe warming twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s as a result of climate change. The scorching temperatures pose risks for critical infrastructure as well as human health. Article content While works to repair the damage in Germany have started, a highway section in the heavily-trafficked Ruhr area will be closed completely in one direction from Friday night until Monday morning to cover up remaining cracks and holes. In the western-central state of Hesse, five metres of the road were 'chiseled up and the broken pieces removed,' the local representation of Germany's highway authority said on Thursday. Workers have since replaced it with new asphalt. Article content Article content While the fallout from the heat is likely to cause frustration for German drivers as they embark on their summer holidays, high temperatures have also led to more grave consequences in parts of Europe this week, with the Greek island of Crete battling wildfires that have forced thousands of residents and tourists to evacuate. In Spain, Italy and France, several heat-related deaths have been recorded. Article content
