I have never driven in Germany. However, I spent 10 days in Italy visiting family in 2000. We rented a turbo diesel minivan and drove from Milan to Venice to Bologna to Florence to Rome. Then drove from Messina to various parts of Sicily.

I'll just say WOW. I recall seeing 150Km/hr several times on the speedo.
This is a minivan with 6 people and luggage.

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R