M5 Lite

I've heard that japanese cars here are restricted by some pact they have made to not produce more than around 280BHP. Thats why all the japanese cars here are maxed out there (NXS, RX8, and whatever else is coming out).

Is this true? If so, when did this go in affect?

bone_stock

Wasn't the last model year of the Nissan 300ZX 300 HP? And wasn't the Toyota Supra 330 HP at one time?

patsmere

Its called the Gentlemen's agreement. Until this year it was all Japanese Manufacturers were restricted to 276hp. All the bad boys are rated at that but we all know the Skyline, Supra, 300zx and so on had WAY MORE. Nissan broke the agreement and the rest will follow soon

M5 Lite

When was this agreed upon? So I take it now all the companies are breaking out of this. Was this verbal or on paper? Only Japanese companies?

mrdeeno

this is only for cars sold in japan. they're free to put as much power in them as they want for everywhere else though.

cnatra

yeah , I think some of the manufacturers would advertise
280hp in Japan (Supra TT , 300ZX TT) but then advertise the
true SAE NET HP in Europe & the U.S.

Just to keep the safety Nazi's off their backs.

This is kind of like the agreement between all the German
auto makers to limit their cars to 155mph
(I wonder if the M cars & AMG observe this??)
to keep the Green Party of Germany
from forcing government restrictions on the manufacturers
&/or speed limits on the Autobahn.

I guess Porsche doesn't participate BUT MB , BMW , Audi/VW do.

M5 Lite

I know that all M and AMG cars observe the 155MPH limiter along with some other mixed in there which are known to be high performance.

patsmere

This was just a verbal agreement for safety. The car folks just decided to say what the hell. I now wonder what the Japanese Gov't gonna say now.