Limiting the speed of a motor vehicle

In addition to cruise controllers for maintaining a predetermined speed, devices are known which attempt to keep the vehicle speed below an adjustable maximum speed by reducing the power in the event of an infringement. The present method intervenes to limit the engine torque while the actual speed is still below the maximum speed, but a demand by the driver for a speed above this is detected. An acceleration-regulation takes place first and, if the speed approaches the maximum speed further, a speed-regulation takes place, allowing the actual speed to be brought gently to the set maximum speed. In the case of speeds demanded by the driver which are below the maximum speed, the driving response remains determined solely by the driver. It is advantageous to combine the speed limitation with cruise control, with selective activation of one of the two operating modes.