Evolution of the rev limiter

[NoelWatson]

Anyone know how rev limiters on modern petrol cars manage to behave like a diesel governor (smooth) rather than the repeatedly intermittently cutting the fuel in cars a few years old (jerky)? And why have they only just started doing it? Is it only recently that ECUs have been powerful enough to cope? Do all modern cars now do this - our 330i and hateful Skoda 1.2 hire car do (whoever came up with the theory that the hire car is the fastest car in the world is lying!)?

[Jerkins]

I can only comment about the way Megajolt does it - as you approach max revs it retards the ignition timing, thus reducing power. You can get an add-on that will cut the ignition completely if you manage to get past the first stage.

[350Matt]

electronic throttle control, the butterfly is no longer listening to your right foot and is backed off appropriately

[Mr2Mike]

If you have sequential injection, the fuel cut can be applied to a variable number of cylinders to reduce power more smoothly.