The term “banned cars” might sound almost sacrilegious in a nation enamored with the open road. Yet, believe it or not, there exists an intriguing list of automobiles that are strictly off-limits on U.S. soil. These forbidden wheels have been denied entry into the American automotive landscape, whether due to emissions woes, safety shortcomings, or other regulatory issues. From iconic Japanese sports cars to high-performance European gems, this article delves deep into the intriguing world of these elusive vehicles, exploring why they’ve been barred and the unique features that make them so enticing yet unattainable.
Contents
1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R
This car has a cult following thanks to its high-performance capabilities. It has a 2.6-liter, twin-turbo inline-six engine can output around 276 horsepower. However, it was never designed to meet U.S. safety and emissions standards. Consequently, this specific model of the Skyline is illegal to import and drive in the U.S.
1993 Jaguar XJ220
This British supercar was Jaguar’s first foray into the high-end, high-performance market. Powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, it can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. However, it was not compliant with the safety and emission regulations of the United States, making it illegal to own here.
1990 BMW M3 Sport Evolution
The Sport Evolution model of the BMW M3 came with a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that produced 238 horsepower. Though iconic, this specific edition of the M3 was not compliant with U.S. emissions and safety standards, making it illegal to import and drive. (Note that the red car is the 1990 BMW M3 Sport Evolution).
1993 Porsche Carrera 911 RS
This car featured a 3.6-liter, air-cooled engine generating 260 horsepower. However, it failed to meet the U.S. safety and emissions regulations, prohibiting its entry into the country for street use.
1988 Audi Sport Quattro
Known for its 2.1-liter, inline-five turbo engine that makes 306 horsepower, this vehicle is nonetheless banned in the U.S. because it doesn’t meet the country’s safety standards.
Land Rover Defender 90/110 (pre-1997)
These vehicles are known for their off-roading capabilities but fell short of meeting U.S. safety and emission regulations. Consequently, older models are illegal to import.
2004 Volkswagen Beetle ‘Ultima Edicion’
This was the last edition of the original air-cooled VW Beetle and came equipped with a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine that produced around 50 horsepower. However, it is banned in the U.S. due to failure to meet modern safety and emissions standards.
Peugeot 205 GTi
Famous for its hot-hatch status in Europe, the 205 GTi features a 1.9-liter, four-cylinder engine with 130 horsepower. Unfortunately, the vehicle never passed U.S. emissions or safety tests.
Honda Beat
This kei car from Japan is powered by a 656 cc, inline-three engine that produces 63 horsepower. It is illegal to import because of its failure to meet U.S. safety and emissions standards.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Tommi Makinen Edition
Equipped with a 2.0-liter, inline-four turbocharged engine producing 276 horsepower, the car was built as a tribute to the Finnish rally driver. It’s banned in the U.S. for failing to meet safety standards.
1990 Lancia Delta HF Integrale 16V
Famous for its rallying prowess, it had a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower. However, it wasn’t made compliant with U.S. safety and emissions standards.
Toyota Soarer
This Japanese sports coupe has a 2.5-liter, inline-six twin-turbo engine and 276 horsepower. It’s not eligible for import into the U.S. due to non-compliance with emissions and safety regulations.
Noble M600
A British supercar that comes with a Yamaha-derived, 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V8 engine capable of producing 650 horsepower. Due to its limited production and lack of certain safety features, it has been banned from U.S. roads.
Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9
This high-performance luxury car from the late 1970s features a 6.9-liter V8 engine with 286 horsepower. However, the car was never designed to meet U.S. emissions standards, thus making it illegal to import.
This article originally appeared on MyCarMakesNoise.
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