Federal car safety regulations have blocked Pagani's one million euro ($1.4m) Huayra supercar 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 U.S. launch will be pushed back from 2012 to 2013, rather than be canceled outright.
Pagani has expressed strong interest in the U.S. market, making sure that the Huayra complies to both European and U.S. crash safety regulations. Initially, the car maker planned for U.S. 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-liter V12, producing 700hp 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.
Source: Autocar