For those who like their driving fast, driving Germany’s autobahn system in a performance car would probably be classed as their classic road trip. The Germans are famous for their well maintained, efficient road system and the fact that, in certain areas the country’s Autobahns have no upper speed limit. Statistically therefore Germany can claim to have the worlds fastest roads. This sounds like a recipe for carnage but in my experience, German Autobahns are quite orderly. The fact that drivers are treated like adults in terms of speed limits seems to be respected and, unlike in most countries, when a speed limit is enforced, its generally obeyed.
Statistically German autobahns are safer than roads in most neighbouring countries According to statistics collected by the International Traffic Safety Data and Analysis Group, there were 2.2 road user fatalities per billion vehicle kilometers travelled on German autobahns in 2008. Neighboring countries with available data include Belgium (4.2 in 2007), the Netherlands (2.1 in 2009), Denmark (2.5), Austria (4.2), Switzerland (1.2), and France (1.8). Using the same statistic, 4.5 fatalities have occurred in the United States Highways.
The ‘no limit’ rule only actually applies to around 50% of the total mileage of the autobahn system, usually on long straight stretches of road in rural areas. About one third of autobahns have a permanent limit, and the remaining parts have a temporary/varying limit . The “limits no longer apply” (Ende aller Streckenverbote) sign, is a circle with a diagonal band rising from left to right and is usually displayed on illuminated boards above the road. Even on roads with no limits, restrictions are placed on lorries and vehicles towing trailers or caravans. On many stretches, lorries aren’t meant to overtake and should stay in the right hand lane, though this rule is often ignored, especially by foreign truckers. The average speed travelled on Autobahns with no upper limit is 150 kmh. Examples of autobahns with long stretches of ‘no limit’ road are the A 8 between Stuttgart and Munich and the A 81 between Stuttgart and Singen. (in 2003, a motoring journalist clocked 201 MPh on the A81 between Würzburg and Heilbronn in a RUF CTR Yellowbird)
So for many ‘petrol heads’ the German autobahn system has taken on almost legendary qualities, even though many roads are too congested to get anywhere near 150kmh and most would struggle to uphold the claim of ‘worlds fastest road’, drivers still make the pilgrimage from neighbouring countries to test out the power of their vehicle. Whilst this website would never encourage dangerous or reckless driving, it can’t be denied that if you’ve ever had the urge to hire a high performance car, Germany is probably the country to do it.And as the home of Porsche,BMW and Mercedes, there are plenty of options to have that once in a lifetime drive…at a price!
This company rents Porsches at locations across Germany. The going rate is around 199 euros per day for a Porsche 911 and 350 euros per day for a Porsche Carrera 4S Convertible
This company can source Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Hummer, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Range Rover, Lexus and Maserati in Germany
This company rents a range of performance cars from Aston Martin DB9’s at 2200 Euros per day to a humble Audi A8 at a mere 800 euros per day-