Thats Sonata Slow Rental Car...

[niky]

http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/news/t...-busted-going-147-mph-in-a-hyundai-178123.php

....An Arizona man was recently clocked going 147 mph in a Hyundai Sonata that had been either leased or rented. Of course, according to police, he’s in for serious fines and/or jail time for that (and other) speed-related transgressions. Notwithstanding that he probably wasn’t rolling on Z-rated tires, we think the guy deserves a metal medal of honor. He’s the automotive equivalent of the astronauts who had to ride on those g-force simulators, back when scientists thought such heavy gravity would send the flyboys’ kidneys rocketing out of whatever exit holes the organs left in their skulls. The right stuff, indeed.

Sorry if this has been mentioned elsewhere... but I just saw this one.

I say: Kudos to Hyundai for not putting a 130 mph speed limiter on those cars. Now give them better brakes and stability control.

 

[JCE]

They have stabiliy control on the V6 models don't they? And who would of thought that Hyundai would remove the typically slow speed limited to a wide open 147mph! Yea the guy is an idiot for going over 100mph in a speed camera zone...but hell if you are going 100mph you might as well try and top the car out. I've topped out 80% of the cars I've owned...they've just been on an open motorway with zero traffic.

*edit*
According to HyundaiUSA.com they all have standard stability control...even the 4cyl model.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control System (TCS)

 

[ND4SPD]

Whoa..Didn't know those could go that fast!

 

[McLaren]

That's certainly a suprise. Now let's just hope other Sonata owners don't get the nerve to try it themselves.

 

[Poverty]

how much power does this thing have?

 

[ND4SPD]

how much power does this thing have?

235hp in 3.3L V6 form and 162hp in the 2.2L I4 I believe.

I've topped out 80% of the cars I've owned...they've just been on an open motorway with zero traffic.

Just wondering, did you do that with your P71? If so, where did she top out at and did it have a limiter of any sort?

 

[JCE]

Just wondering, did you do that with your P71? If so, where did she top out at and did it have a limiter of any sort?

I'm not sure what the limiter of the stock P71 before it gets sold to the city municipalities...but mine didn't have a limit. I got mine beyond the 140mph on the speedo, and since the speedo stops @ 140mph I can't really gauge the exact speed.

 

[ND4SPD]

I'm not sure what the limiter of the stock P71 before it gets sold to the city municipalities...but mine didn't have a limit. I got mine beyond the 140mph on the speedo, and since the speedo stops @ 140mph I can't really gauge the exact speed.

Haha, thats pretty awesome! Didn't know they could push past 135!

 

[1X83Z]

how much power does this thing have?

The one caught on camera has a 235hp 3.3L V6, which propels the vehicle to 60mph in 6.9 seconds - not bad for a Hyundai.

Honestly, though, I'm certain that the camera is off. 147mph? My recent turbocharged European sedan's speedo doesn't even go past 140. I'd buy 127, and maybe 137 but 147 is out of this world.

Though the only credible source I have on the matter says the 2.4-liter one can do 132.

Frankly, if the vehicle was doing 147, Hyundai should not only pay his fines but use him in ads. The man's a trailblazer. By the way, if there was ever an argument against buying a used rental car, it's this.

And someone doesn't have enough faith in Hyundai products. This is from a lieutenant with the Scottsdale Police Department:

The car was beyond its capabilities, and he was beyond his capabilities of controlling it. The tires aren’t rated for 147 mph. They’re stock tires on a rental car. The car probably was shaking.

 

[GT4_Rule]

Wow, 147mph in a Sonata.

 

[GT Pro]

Nice work, 147mph in a rental car? He was just exercising the car, making sure it runs right and all and... BAM! The Police take him down.
He was a good samaritan I think, don't you?

 

[a6m5]

Probably favorable tailwind assisting the car, or malfunction of the camera. Still pretty impressive though.

Speedometer's are fairly inaccurate at high speeds. Either Road&Track or Car&Driver tested speedo readout of NSX, 911 Turbo and Viper in the 90's. Near the topspeed, some were off by quite a bit. I thought they were off by as much as over 20mph. Again, it was very long time ago, but I thought the NSX was the most accurate, 911 were showing much faster speed than it was actually doing, Viper? exact opposite.

 

[daan]

The one caught on camera has a 235hp 3.3L V6, which propels the vehicle to 60mph in 6.9 seconds - not bad for a Hyundai.

Honestly, though, I'm certain that the camera is off. 147mph? My recent turbocharged European sedan's speedo doesn't even go past 140. I'd buy 127, and maybe 137 but 147 is out of this world.

I've got 197bhp and my car's top speed is 141mph (Autocar tested). So 147mph from 235bhp is believable.

What does the fact that your car's speedo doesn't go past 140 have to do with anything?

 

[niky]

Because most cars can't reach the limit of their speedometer. But the top-of-the-line model in any range will often be limited just before the end of the speedometer, whether by gearing, electronic cut-off or wind-resistance. Thus, it's not often that a car will exceed its speedometer's capability.

I've heard 130 mph was possible on most 2.3-2.4 midsizers, so 140+ isn't unthinkable. What's unthinkable is that anyone would actually sell what's basically a family sedan, with a family-tuned suspension and H or V rated tires without a speed limiter.

RE: Stability Control... my bad. They don't sell them with Stability Control here. Had assumed things were the same there. Silly me. Anyway, I'm off to the bank to get a car-loan for my next Hyundai. I'll be sure to over-estimate, so I have enough left for tires.

 

[Famine]

The one caught on camera has a 235hp 3.3L V6, which propels the vehicle to 60mph in 6.9 seconds - not bad for a Hyundai.

Honestly, though, I'm certain that the camera is off. 147mph? My recent turbocharged European sedan's speedo doesn't even go past 140. I'd buy 127, and maybe 137 but 147 is out of this world.

You're entering... the mathematics zone!

For the Hyundai Sonata ('05 on)
Rolling Resistance (RR): 45.762lb
Air Resistance (AR) @ 147mph: 479.42lb
Total Resistance: 525.183lb
Power required: 205.87hp (wheel); 236.63hp (crank)

Looks about right to me.

 

[1X83Z]

You're entering... the mathematics zone!

For the Hyundai Sonata ('05 on)
Rolling Resistance (RR): 45.762lb
Air Resistance (AR) @ 147mph: 479.42lb
Total Resistance: 525.183lb
Power required: 205.87hp (wheel); 236.63hp (crank)

Looks about right to me.

I'm not quite sure what zone you're entering, but even Hyundai claims 137mph tops for Sonny the Sonata, even with the 6-cylinder.

And daan, I sort of figured if my speedo stopped at 140, the car would stop accelerating past that point. If it could go 150, why doesn't the speedo say 150?

Silence.

 

[OZZYGT]

When I worked at Hyundai, I never tested out the Sonata like that...but I can tell you that it handles so beautifuly, it's just a sweet car...when you drive it, you feel it even more sporty than the Tiburon (that car feels heavy as hell! ) and it has a great pick up as soon as you push the gas pedal. Probably that guy got excited with the "Shiftronic" transmition that it has...

and who wouldn't like to go fast in a sweet looking car like this one

It's waaay different from the '05 Sonata.



Ciao!

 

[YSSMAN]

Waaaaa?

So this dude, in presumably what is the 2006 Hyundai Sonata GLX V6, was able to hit 147 MPH? Was he going down a hill with a stiff tail wind?

Car and Driver rates the car at 137 MPH as the top speed, so I'm confused as to how he got the car to go so fast.

...I wonder if there is a website somewhere where we can donate money to get this guy out of jail. He not only deserves the respect of every "car guy" and "car girl" in the world, he deserves a medal for bravery.

 

[Poverty]

I did 132MPH in a 130hp car. If 1.2's can go 110mph I believe this.

 

[daan]

I'm not quite sure what zone you're entering, but even Hyundai claims 137mph tops for Sonny the Sonata, even with the 6-cylinder.

Well, a speed camera caught him at that speed (which has to be calibrated correctly and I'm sure the camera will be checked constantly, and particularly becasue of this), cars with that sort of power can do that speed and physics and maths say the car can do that speed, so it's not entirely unbelievable.

And daan, I sort of figured if my speedo stopped at 140, the car would stop accelerating past that point. If it could go 150, why doesn't the speedo say 150?

And can your "recent turbocharged European sedan" do 150mph?

Bear in mind that peedometers are set to overread. It will never show you going slower than you actually are (unless it's faulty). When I'm sitting at an indicated 70mph, my true GPS'd speed is 64mph. Indicated 100mph is a real 92mph, and so on. So if you are indicating 140mph, you are not actually doing 140mph.

My speedo goes to 170mph. My car's top speed is ~141mph and it's gearing will not allow me to go faster than 157mph (even if I had the power). Speedos always go higher than the cars top speed to allow for a higher, faster model to be introduced without having to re-design new instruments.

(and yes, the mileage figure is true!)

 

[Famine]

I'm not quite sure what zone you're entering, but even Hyundai claims 137mph tops for Sonny the Sonata, even with the 6-cylinder.

It's a very simple calculation for working out a vehicle's top speed from its engine power, dimensions and weight.

Oh, and almost every manufacturer I've ever encountered, with the exception of those whose customers care about the absolute top speed, measures top speed in the gear below top gear. The top gear is supposed to be a fuel-saving overdrive, without the ability to reach redline in that gear barring unusual circumstances.

In this case, assuming that the Hyundai can reach 147mph at all with its gearing (ratio, final and wheel), the Hyundai probably will be able to reach 147mph just with its engine power, dimensions and weight.

Rolling resistance (at any speed) in lb = 0.0135 x Vehicle weight (lb)
Air resistance in lb = Coefficient of drag x Frontal Area (sq.ft) x 0.00256 x speed (mph) x speed (mph)
Total resistance in lb = Air resistance + Rolling resistance
Power required at wheels to overcome resistance = Total resistance in lb x (speed (mph) / 375).

There's a couple of assumptions and a light fudge factor which put the numbers out by plus or minus 5%, and the outcome of the equation for the '05 Sonata is within 5% of its crank power (which you can back calculate by dividing the wheel power by 0.87 for FWD and mid-RWD, 0.85 for front-RWD or 0.75 for 4WD).

 

[Jim Prower]

Where did he find a straight/clear stretch of road long enough?! that's gotta be close to the Aero top speed!

 

[1X83Z]

Well, a speed camera caught him at that speed (which has to be calibrated correctly and I'm sure the camera will be checked constantly, and particularly becasue of this), cars with that sort of power can do that speed and physics and maths say the car can do that speed, so it's not entirely unbelievable.

I've read a couple of accounts by Googling the name of the driver involved that absolutely deride the City of Scottsdale's speed camera system, saying faulty readings are entirely possible and happen frequently. One professor at a nearby university said he's certain the cameras were in place before they were ready, and the company that made them is on record saying something similar. No-one except the police think it's fail-safe. And given the fact that it's obviously never had a 147mph reading before and that something like that would be totally out of the norm, I wouldn't be surprised if the speed camera read high. The driver has gotten a lawyer and has pled "not guilty." If he got a few expert witnesses to testify, he could easily provide "reasonable doubt" and be found not guilty. If that happened, an injunction could be ordered to stop the speed cameras until further tests can be performed.

I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if that happened - a similar thing occurred in Denver a long time ago with speed camera vans that led to ten zillion new techniques the police had to use, essentially making the vans useless.

And can your "recent turbocharged European sedan" do 150mph?

Hell no!

My speedo goes to 170mph. My car's top speed is ~141mph and it's gearing will not allow me to go faster than 157mph (even if I had the power). Speedos always go higher than the cars top speed to allow for a higher, faster model to be introduced without having to re-design new instruments.

I disagree - I mean my own speedo tops out at 140 and I've had it north of 135 with room left to go. There's an account in this thread wherein a poster has described how he beat his speedo - and I guarantee the Sonata's speedo goes nowhere near 150, assuming you believe that trash.

By the way I'm not about to stick up for this guy - yes, it was early morning, but as I understand it, it's a highway through a city, and he was caught by multiple speed cameras doing between 100 and 147mph. There's no question he was speeding out of his mind. I just don't think he was doing 147.

 

[Poverty]

Plent european speedos go up to 160mph even though they top out at around 130-140mph.

 

[daan]

I disagree - I mean my own speedo tops out at 140 and I've had it north of 135 with room left to go.

But you weren't doing 135. You were doing an indicated 135, which could be as low as 122. Can your car do 140?

and I guarantee the Sonata's speedo goes nowhere near 150

How can you guarantee it when you haven't researched it?

 

[JCE]

Can we just leave it be? The guy was obviously speeding in his Sonata...and I think it's great that Hyundai is getting all this publicity. Look at the brighter side ladies and gents. 👍 Hell this one article may have already sold them some Sonatas.

 

[1X83Z]

But you weren't doing 135. You were doing an indicated 135, which could be as low as 122. Can your car do 140?

I agree - and I agree with your argument about speedos always reading low. What I was saying was, it was doing an indicated 135, which means if the next model down the road could do a bit higher, as it had a bit more power and another gear, they'd have to change the speedo anyway in order to account for that. So your argument about how they always read high would be wrong. Of course, maybe the PREVIOUS car is where my speedo originated, and they were going to change it for the next car anyway. Which means I would be wrong.

Ah who cares.

By the way - since we both agree the speedo won't match the indicated speed and will be high - won't the Sonata's speedo have to go up to like 170 in order to be 147? I mean even if he was doing above the speedo it'd have to have run 160 or so. And we're referring to a Korean sedan here.

How can you guarantee it when you haven't researched it?

Okay, folks - there's only one way to prove this crap for sure.

Sonata is the most popular rental sedan in the US. In fact, some 65% of Sonata's volume is going to the rental fleets, if you can believe it. Hyundai is on the record voicing their disappointment at the vehicle's poor non-fleet sales, in fact. But that's another story for another time.

Standing offer is $50 to the first person who rents a Sonata and just gasses it until it tops out. I don't even care how high that is - if you don't get to 147, I'll still shell out the $50. Pictures are of course necessary. Obviously the only way to settle this.

EDIT: okay, a little good news for the people who think the guy did the 147. I Googled it - the Sonata V6's speedo goes up to 160mph. My question is, if the vehicle's speedo goes up to 160 and it does 0-60 in under 7 seconds with a tiptronic transmission, why the hell is the suspension so god-damned soft? And, why the hell is he car running all-season tires out of the box? One day the Koreans will get it right. One day pigs will fly...

 

[Steeda]

lol, had to be a black guy.

 

[harrytuttle]

Well, a speed camera caught him at that speed (which has to be calibrated correctly and I'm sure the camera will be checked constantly, and particularly becasue of this), cars with that sort of power can do that speed and physics and maths say the car can do that speed, so it's not entirely unbelievable.

I've read some about the speed cameras in Europe, and how much some people despise them. There's a fair amount of evidence to suggest that under certain conditions (which some argue are "most conditions") the cameras report either the wrong car or the wrong speed by up to 20%. Arizona has had far less experience with road cameras than Europe, which is not to say the cameras are way off, however, just that their experience is less. Given Hyundai's history, I'd say the guy was going hella fast, but 147 seems optimistic. He was captured by more than one camera apparently, so I would think an average of them would give a more accurate picture.

My speedo goes to 170mph. My car's top speed is ~141mph and it's gearing will not allow me to go faster than 157mph (even if I had the power). Speedos always go higher than the cars top speed to allow for a higher, faster model to be introduced without having to re-design new instruments.

I've always been of the opinion that speedometer markings, 0-60 times and top speeds are all marketing fluff. Speed times are notoriously overrated for sporty cars, and sky-high speedometers seem to be from more pedestrian vehicles (that's an oxymoron only if you think about too much). What you may have on your dash probably doesn't represent reality.

 

[niky]

While I have my doubts as to the veracity of any speed-camera reading, I don't doubt that 147 mph is possible in a modern FWD V6. That's why a lot of them have 130-135 mph speed limiters. I'm just surprised it's taken so long for someone to do this... and get caught.