10 badass exotic cars you can’t drive on American roads

America is a nation of diversity, just as it is a nation of inclusiveness. He is also an initiator and innovator in many transformational fields. With one of the highest per capita incomes in the world, the standard of living of most average Americans is something citizens of other countries greatly admire. America’s real, imagined, and perceived supremacy comes from all the great milestones the country has taken, and that includes its incredibly developed auto industry.

Such a strong and diverse automotive market allows the average American buyer not only to have access to a ridiculously wide range of vehicles, but also to afford them. But while America is a vastly liberal nation, some cars built inside and outside its borders have been banned from American roads for a myriad of reasons.

Personal and public safety are the top priorities in helping to determine which cars to authorize on the roads. Over the years, some brands have been banned from American roads, mainly for safety reasons. Here are some of the coolest alien exotics that Americans will ever be able to drive around the country.

ten 2003 TVR Tuscany

British car maker TVR owns some of the most exotic premium sports cars. By installing light and powerful engines in their cars, they managed to outsmart several brands and carve out a place for themselves in the modern automobile as well as in the future of sports cars.

One of their most popular cars is the TVR Tuscan produced between 1999 and 2006. The most popular version is the 2003 TVR Tuscan, which appeared in the John Travolta film. Swordfish. Although it rose to fame and many Americans wished for one, the lack of anti-lock brakes, acceleration issues as well as airbag issues led to its illegalization on American roads.

Related: Here’s Why The Toyota Hilux Is Banned In The US

9 1993 Lamborghini Strosek Diablo

There are several Lambo models that you can import into the United States, but don’t waste your money on the 1993 Lamborghini Strosek Diablo. The problems with this car include its power and some design aspects. If you look at the side mirrors and the headlights, you quickly see that they are in violation of US regulations. No matter what changes you make, you still won’t be driving this car on American roads.

The engine of this Lambo is a 48-valve 5.7-liter V12 with 485 horsepower dual overhead camshaft. It will only take you 4.5 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in this supercar.

8 Lotus Elise Series 1

Lotus makes some of the best compact sports cars and convertibles available to the average buyer. However, you cannot drive the Lotus Elise Series 1 in America.

This Lotus was banned because it is right hand drive, whereas American cars drive on the left. In addition, unlike a convertible, it comes without a roof or window, which represents a significant risk for its passengers.

seven Lotus Exige S

The Lotus Exige S does not meet US airbag safety regulations and, for this reason, is prohibited on US roads. The Lotus Exige S is nonetheless a very desirable car that any sports car enthusiast would like to keep in their garage for a long time.

It would be a costly affair to make the Lotus Exige S fully compliant with US laws for the company and for any individual. If you want a Lotus so badly, you can wait until it becomes a classic and maybe the ban will be lifted.

Related: These Twelve States Want Biden To Ban Gasoline Vehicles By 2035

6 1989 Porsche 959 S

The Porsche 959 is among the most beautiful sports cars from the 80s, and it is built in extremely low numbers. Only 337 of them were built, including 37 prototypes and pre-production models. This automatically makes it a mouthwatering collector’s item for any gearbox.

The 959 S (Sport) is an unmistakably powerful car and one of the best of its time. It could perform a 0-60mph launch in just 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 197mph, making it one of the fastest production cars at its peak.

This Porsche has long been illegal in the United States. However, in 2003, tuning company Canepa Design started a restoration program allowing them to pass emissions regulations and effectively made a significant number of them legal in the United States.

5 TVR T350

We’ve talked about the Tuscan TVR, and here is yet another TVR car that is illegal to drive in the United States. The TVR T350 has failed numerous safety tests, including airbag requirements.

If the law was blind, you’d be tempted to break it and have this car anyway. It’s a beautifully designed car, and the gullwing doors make it take your breath away.

4 1993 Jaguar XJ220S

The company made six of these sports cars and fitted them with a 542 horsepower Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) V6 engine that propels the Jaguar XJ220S to 100 mph in 3.3 seconds.

Top speed is capped at 228 mph. This kind of power and lightness have become the downfall of this Jaguar in his quest to obtain a house in the United States of America.

Related: The Motorsport Ban That Killed Audi’s Group B Cars

3 1997-2000 Honda Civic Type R

You can own a new Honda Civic Type R in the US today, but if you specifically want the 1997-2000 model, you won’t be able to drive one there. The specific reason given is that it does not meet emission standards. However, the model returned to the US market in 2017 and has remained ever since.

JDM cars have found favor in the American market over the years, and we look forward to the 2022 Honda Civic Type R to reach American shores.

Related: 15 Sports Cars We Wish We Had In The US (But They’re Banned)

2 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 G

the Nissan Skyline makes a very nice car for a daily commute; however, it is considered non-compliant with NHTSA, DOT, and EPA regulations. A tuning company called Motor-EX attempted to bring them into line in the early 2000s, but quickly shut down when that shipment did not prove to be imminent. That said, certain R33 Skylines built between March 1996 and July 1998 have been cleared into the United States.

There are about nine generations of Skylines that remain banned in the United States, but the 1999 version would be the most desired. It was technologically very advanced and among the first cars to feature a display on the dashboard.

Related: Here’s Why The Dodge Hemi Was Banned From NASCAR

1 Noble M600

Finding a nobleman on this list shouldn’t come as a surprise. The Noble M600 might ring a bell in the minds of car enthusiasts, but not the common indifferent motorists.

This British-made Ferrari challenger was launched in 2012 at an exorbitant price for the oil well. It features a 4.4-liter, 659-horsepower V8 that would undoubtedly be a hit with American buyers. However, it does not meet several security standards required to make it legal in the United States.

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