The Fastest Illegal Vehicles Banned in the U.S.
There’s something special about things we’re told we can’t have. This is the case for the vehicles that are banned from entering the United States. Doesn’t it just make you want them even more? The cream of the crop, however, are the speedsters that are forbidden because they’re just too fast. American car enthusiasts would love the chance to drive the following cars, but alas, they cannot.
2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Roadster
This sporty car looks like a work of art. Alfa Romeo developed the 2010 8C Spider Roadster in tandem with the 8C Competizione Coupe. Both have an impressive 450-bhp 4.7-liter V8 engine. These guys were banned in the U.S. for not adhering to safety regulations.
In 2014, Alfa Romeo developed a North American version of the 4C Spider to comply with safety standards. The adjustments included extra bracing and strengthening. The changes amounted to a 220-lb. increase, meaning it won’t be quite as fast as the European version.
1993 Jaguar XJ220S
This super rare car (only six exist) was dubbed the fastest in the world when it came off the production line. A modified version of the Jaguar XJ220, the XJ220S replaced the aluminum chassis for carbon fiber, making it even faster. They also tweaked the 3.5-liter V6 engine to produce 680 hp. One XJ220S has been allowed to enter the U.S. The other five remain banned.
Lotus 340R
This car has no doors, so it’s pretty obvious why we won’t get to see it in the U.S. any time soon. But it still looks cool with a hard-to-miss wing on the back. The Lotus 340R can reach 60 miles per hour in just 4.4 seconds. A mix between a sports car and muscle car, auto enthusiasts drool over it.
TVR Sagaris
TVR has made a few cars that aren’t quite up to America’s safety standards. but one of the company’s fastest is the Sagaris. This sports car offers 380 hp, and its lightweight chassis means you can get up to 60 miles per hour in only 3.7 seconds. The Sagaris is practically a race car. Too bad they couldn’t add airbags.
TVR Cerbera
Let’s add another TVR to the list. The Cerbera just beats out the Sagaris in horsepower, with 420 hp, and it hits 60 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds. While similar in specs, the Cerbera has a different look than the Sagaris. The Cerbera’s longer front looks more like a vintage classic and less like a speedy sports car. Americans will have to hop the pond in order to see it, however, as the car will likely always be banned here.
1992 Porsche Carrera 911 RS (964)
With a name that complicated, you can’t help but assume there’s a lot going on under the hood. Produced as a lightweight, high-performance version of the Carrera 2, it feels like a true Porsche, reminding us that the automaker originally developed cars for speed, not road safety. They got rid of everything that could weigh it down, like the power steering, AC, and even the radio.