NHTSA Blocks Pagani Huayra Release In U.S.
Pagani Huayra
Those of you in the U.S. of A. who were waiting for the Pagani Huayra will have to wait a little bit longer as the car hasn’t been approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety (NHTSA) due to some issues with the airbags. When they heard the bad news, the officials of the automaker applied for exemption from the NHTSA’s requirements due to the reason that this would cause them “substantial economic hardship.”
This requirement for advanced airbags has forced Pagani to delay the release in the US of the Huyara from 2012 to 2013. These “advanced airbags” have been developed in order to protect kids by sensing when a minor is in the vehicle and applying a suitable airbag in the unfortunate event of an accident.
At first, the supercar maker said that they will bring five cars to the United States in its first year while for the second one they forecasted up to 10 units. As a reminder, the car comes with a massive V12 6.0-liter bi-turbo engine that unleashes 700 hp and has a peak torque of 664 lb.-ft. Featuring a lightweight carbon-titanium body, the Huayra is able to do the 0-62 mph sprint in only 3.3 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 230 mph.
Source: NHTSA, Pagani via Autocar
Post tags: Tags: nhtsa, Pagani, pagani huayra
I’ve followed the growth & success of this Italian automaker from it’s inception in 1992. I’m always impressed by the founder, “Horacio Pagani” (much like that of “Christian von Koenigsegg”), for his attention to details, design language, advanced materials employed, marketing, et al.
This said, I’m left to scratch my head a bit. Pagani, like every other automaker wishing to retail their products on the North American (N.A.) market, must adhere to the strict “NHTSA” guidelines & requisites. These requisites are not to be a pain in the automaker’s assets, but rather to make driving more safe, enjoyable, & better for the environment (in some cases).
Pagani wants to, like all other import automakers, bring their brand & Model(s) to N.A., but Pagani disregarded particular queues or sub-queues in the “NHTSA” Guidelines (Restraint Systems for youth passengers). Having built a number of “Huayra” units for the N.A., & not installing said Restraint Systems is both legally wrong, & IMO, slightly shady business ethics.
If they would have installed the Restraint Systems from the start, there would have been “zero” delays, better PR, & in the long run (roughly 2 year view point), less dollar value per model (as now the delays, poor PR, & disregard for their most important client,”The Buyer”) will cost them much more, instead if they would have just adhered to the Guidelines from the start.
An argument might be stated in defense, that this isn’t quite a “soccer mom’s car”, or a “Sunday family SUV”; etc. But like them or not, guidelines are guidelines.
I hope the lucky few in N.A. thoroughly enjoy their wonder-machine when they get possession of it in 2013. I can hardly wait for the next Pagani model to hit the Automotive Shows throughout the world!
Respects,
Marcus Van Steur