American car-safety regulations have blocked Pagani’s one million euro Huayra hypercar from going on sale in its current form, delaying the launch until 2013.
Pagani applied for exemption from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s requirement for advanced airbags on the basis that it would cause them “substantial economic hardship”.
‘Advanced’ airbags are designed to protect children by sensing when a minor is in the car and applying a suitable airbag in the event of a crash.
Having failed to satisfy the NHTSA, the company was denied exemption from the legislation. According to the safety regulator, Pagani “didn't show that serious efforts had been made to comply” to standards.
Pagani spokeswoman Sanaz Bakhtiari said that the car’s US launch will be pushed back from 2012 to 2013, rather than be cancelled outright.
Pagani has expressed strong interest in the US market, making sure that the Huayra complies to both European and US crash safety regulations.
Initially the car maker planned for US sales to be limited to five cars in the first year, with a forecast for up to 10 per year following a factory expansion.
The Pagani Huayra is powered by a bi-turbo 6.0-litre V12, producing 700bhp and 664lb ft of torque. With a lightweight carbon-titanium body the car can manage 0-62mph in 3.3sec and achieve a top speed of 230mph.
Read more about the Pagani Huayra
Sam Naylor
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