Official top speed of Sonic RS

[Dirt55]

Went out today with video camera and shot this.
My RS is still 100% stock--no mods yet.
I was trying to see how fast I could get it. the governor kicked in at 131 mph.
I think I was around 5800-5900 RPMs. Sadly I wasn't looking at the tach when I hit that speed.

This is the first time using this camera, so I didn't know what to expect. It was suction cupped to the side window. I will need to find a better location in the future so I can see the tach and better view of road ahead.

This was shot in Germany on the autobahn. I had fellow member BSD in the car with me. I tried to say info about what was happening, but wind noise started to drown out our voices. hopefully this is good info on a stock RS.

Now its time to start adding mods.

 

[ChrisJ]

I have one major complaint.

The next time I expect Kraftwerk : Autobahn to be playing.



Other than that, interesting video.

 

[AdorableKaren]

Lmao never heard of that song but I'm so watching this video when I get off work RS for the win!

 

[BSD]

Ahhh, so close to getting the tach on screen.....

 

[angus]

Pretty cool, thanks for posting!

 

[ChrisJ]

Lmao never heard of that song but I'm so watching this video when I get off work RS for the win!

It's a 1974 techno song by the group that most agree invented techno.

Its a long song but is and will always be one of my favorites.
http://youtu.be/x-G28iyPtz0

 

[Dirt55]

Ahhh, so close to getting the tach on screen.....

Yeah, I was messing with it today. I think I have a better angle for next time.

 

[BSD]

And the sequel.

 

[BSD]

I also figured out why I thought the shifter felt different....I forgot I installed the DDM metal bushings for a moment.

 

[Stew]

Very cool, does only the RS have a speed governor? Another member, sx sonic I think had his car up on jackstands and had an indicated 168 or so MPH on a non-RS 1.4L turbo.

 

[ahtoxa]

The limiter is actually 129 mph. The reading of 131 was due to a small percentage error in the speedo. This is because the tires are rated to 130, at least on the LT trim, and the governor wasn't raised for the RS.

 

[Dirt55]

That's good to know my speedo variance is quite small. I have had cars that when doing 60 mph it was already off by 4.

 

[ChrisJ]

The limiter is actually 129 mph. The reading of 131 was due to a small percentage error in the speedo. This is because the tires are rated to 130, at least on the LT trim, and the governor wasn't raised for the RS.

That's impossible.
As you know we have a member on here with a stock 1.8 Sonic that claims he hit 135MPH on flat ground and he gets upset if you question him.

:banana:

 

[Insanika]

Sounds like you have the same annoying plastic rattle/vibration at higher rpm that I do.

Fun video, I'd love to drive that road. Closest I get is some interstates that have an 80mph speed limit.

:sadbanana:

 

[AdorableKaren]

Oh I so want to make a similar video in my RS on a normal high way lol

 

[laborsmith]

Interesting. Chevy has maintained there is no top speed limit other than the laws of physics which according to Chevy is 125mph for the Sonic.

I have long thought that if there is no artificial limit (on other Chevy cars I have tested if they indicated there is an artificial limit I have found it to be true) than in optimum conditions the Chevy limit could be broken. I could get my 2010 V6 Camaro to 118mph and no faster no matter the conditions and Chevy always said it was speed governed to 118mph.

Chevy says the turbocharged Sonic is drag limited not computer limited which tells me a Sonic could very well go faster than 125mph.


Laborsmith

 

[austinw24]

I can confirm for a lowered (Eibach) and tuned, the LTZ sedan will go 131 also however that is about where it stops, +/- 5mph. it was a windy day from the passenger front side but stability was rather good considering the crappy stock tires.

131 is the highest I can say I have seen my speedo. I'll check it again another night.

 

[MPFab]

Holy sh*t that was a long time at WOT! I'll bet the primary catalyst was HOT!

 

[SPOTWORK]

Holy sh*t that was a long time at WOT! I'll bet the primary catalyst was HOT!

Perfect if you have to do an emissions test. Although this car isn't really an old beater ol

 

[Swordsmith]

I doubt there is a governor per se... I mean it's possible, but I doubt it. Others have posted about reaching speeds of 140+, and we've seen pics of cars on a dyno that were doing in excess of 170. Not that the car will ever reach that speed due to drag, but that means the ECU won't stop it.

I'm guessing what you reached was top allowed RPMs, although that would be a little higher than the 5900 you estimated

Or maybe they decided RS drivers would actually try to drive fast, so they bothered to put a governor on while us lowly LT owners don't need one?