Sanity in Victoria is a start.

[deesun]

Finally sanity is prevailing at least in Victoria regarding turbocharged cars and what P platers are allowed to drive. Lets hope the other states look at this and see the err of their ways.

http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor...518-1yulp.html

More fuel efficient new Falcon prompts rethink on P-plater restrictions.

Road safety authorities are re-assessing a blanket ban on probationary drivers getting behind the wheel of turbocharged cars.

The re-think has been prompted by the release of a turbocharged four-cylinder version of the locally-built Ford Falcon.

VicRoads has already overturned its blanket ban on P-platers driving turbo cars in favour of a system that concentrates more on a power-to-weight ratio that more accurately reflects vehicle performance.
And NSW could follow suit, with the Roads and Maritime Services department (formerly RTA) also reviewing its restrictions as part of a national approach to the controversial treatment of the new breed of fuel efficient cars.

Turbocharging has traditionally been associated with performance cars, but in recent years car makers have used the technology to downsize their engines and save fuel.

The new VicRoads rule was specifically drafted to accommodate the four-cylinder turbo Falcon, but it opens the door to dozens of other smaller cars that use turbos.

Cars with a power-to-mass ratio (PMR) of less than 130 kilowatts per tonne can now be driven by P-platers, if the manufacturer replaces the standard build plate with one stating the car's PMR falls beneath the threshold.

“This reduces the regulatory burden of probationary exemption requests on the community, vehicle manufacturers and VicRoads,” said VicRoads’ manager of vehicle safety and policy, Ross MacArthur.

He said a decision had not been made on moving to a system based solely on power to weight ratio.

Previously, probationary drivers needed to apply to VicRoads for an exemption to drive even small-capacity turbocharged cars such as the Volkswagen Golf 77TSI (1.2-litre turbocharged engine making 77 kilowatts).

By contrast, the 3.6-litre V6 Holden Commodore SV6 with 210 kilowatts remains free of restrictions.

Ford has already taken the step to alter the build plate on its four-cylinder-powered Falcon EcoBoost range, while several importers are set to follow suit.

German brands Volkswagen and Audi both make extensive use of forced induction engines and say they will now examine which models in their range could be re-plated to receive an automatic exemption.

Volkswagen spokesman Karl Gehling says he is “pleasantly surprised” by VicRoads’ change of heart.

“We fully support a power-to-weight ratio as a good way to identify what is a performance car,” he says.

“It always struck us as incongruous that P-platers could drive a (V6-powered) Golf R32 which is, in effect, a performance car, but still had to apply for an exemption to drive the Golf 77TSI.”

In NSW, the RMS is currently reviewing restrictions on P-platers “to reflect advances in vehicle technology”.

A spokesperson said the review would be completed by mid-year and would focus on smaller cars using turbo or supercharging for fuel efficiency. It is anticipated that the Ford Falcon Ecoboost will be among the models cleared for P-platers to drive.

Longer-term, a working group is attempting to establish a national standard for probationary driver vehicle restrictions.

“Although the working group is active, it is anticipated a national policy will take a few years to finalise and implement, primarily due to the need to establish supporting infrastructure, such as means to identify eligible vehicles,” the RMS spokesperson said.

[mik]

yes it seems a better way of assessing the the performance value of different cars, although i`m in two minds about whether the restrictions help or not to be honest, but i guess the law makers have a responsibility to try every thing.

[Bossxr8]

They did this before the blanket ban on turbos, now they are switching back.

They love screwing with laws just fore the sake of it it seems.

[Franco Cozzo]

Its only 130KW/Tonne for turbo vehicles, still blanket ban on V8s though. Pre 2007 it was just power to weight ratio on all cars.

I looked on their database for vehicles, and an F250 is considered a high powered vehicle and banned haha.

http://vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/Lice...edvehicles.htm

[Jim Goose]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

They did this before the blanket ban on turbos, now they are switching back.

They love screwing with laws just fore the sake of it it seems.

You realise that changing their minds back and forth every few years is seen as job creation?

[Jack960]

Looking at the history of P plate related fatal car accidents, not many actually drove turbo charged or v8 cars. Any car can be dangerous, its the responsibility of the driver. I like this idea tho because the 4 cylinder turbo's are great cars.
I am biased tho, 6 months till XR6T

[falcodore]

You still can only drive the turbo cars if you get the compliance plate stamped on, stating that the PMR is less than 130kw/tonne.

I doubt dealers will be stamping compliance plates on the old school Japanese sports cars of the 90's that every P-plater wants to have. I'm guessing it's either you buy a new car that has it done from factory or nothing haha.

[jpd80]

Focus XR5 Turbo, 1437 Kg 162 Kw...