5 Cars So Powerful They Were Banned From Roads

You Got A Fast Car

Blue sports car parked outside a building Madeline Liu on Unsplash

Those pesky safety and environmental regulations really put a dent in your fender, don’t they? Car lovers, collectors, and fans of action films dream of having a supercharged gas guzzler that they can show off to the world, but they’re often silenced by the USEPA.

In the grand scheme of things, it’s good that these vehicles aren’t road-approved, as it would only lead to more issues or crashes, but the beauty of these cars cannot be understated. For most of us, the best we can do is daydream about our multi-million dollar baby.

Nissan Skyline GT-R

This car was banned in the United States for a couple of reasons, most prominently due to it not meeting emissions or safety standards. The most famous models, the R32, 33, and 34, can reach up to 500-600 hp organically. Since the vehicle was designed for racing and only met Japan’s road standards, the car could not be legally imported to the US until it was exempted via the 25-year rule.

LaFerrari FXX-K

Do you want to pay over 3 million dollars for a car that’s not even road legal? Some folks do, especially for a car as gorgeous as this one. The Ferrari FXX-K is the most extreme model Ferrari offers. It features a V12 hybrid engine, improved aerodynamics, and is built for maximum efficiency. The car was made for racing. But since it was made for the track, it’s no surprise that it wasn’t made for the roads. It's so unbelievably not road-legal that Ferrari didn’t even try to submit it for consideration.

TVR Tuscan

red supercar on grass Nirmal Rajendharkumar on Unsplash

This car was designed to create a pure connection between driver and vehicle, and we suppose that means it doesn’t require safety features? Lacking airbags, anti-lock brakes, a catalytic converter, no traction control, and pop-up headlights, it's no surprise that this car didn’t meet American road regulations. This wasn’t the smartest choice, as TVR went bankrupt in 2006.

Koenigsegg Agera R

This supercar is well-loved for its high speeds, allowing it to reach 110km/h in under 3 seconds. It was produced from 2011 to 2014, with only 18 units made, making it a highly sought-after collectible. Of course, the car is not street-legal due to a lack of airbags and high CO2 emissions, therefore not meeting the safety or environmental standards in the United States. However, Koenigsegg did make a street-safe version, the Gemera, back in 2020.

Lamborghini Strosek Diablo

Produced from 1990 to 2001, the Lamborghini Diablo's wide-body version was a more extreme iteration of the classic car. Notable by its small, round headlights, the car can reach an impressive speed of 60 mph in 4 seconds. Sadly, the car was banned in the US due to these extreme modifications, as the changes in the headlights and mirrors made it non-compliant with US safety standards.