If you were waiting to get your hands on the $1 million sports car made by Italian company Pagani, you’ll have to wait at least until 2013. Also, we hate you.
But the delay is for a good, sensible reason: the car doesn’t pass muster on federal auto safety rules. Pagani tried to skirt the requirement of having child-safe “advanced” airbags — those that know to adjust force when children or small adults are in the vehicle — in the 700-horsepower Huayra (pronounced why-rah).
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It’s not exactly a family car, but rules are rules — and older-style airbags can injure or kill children. The company applied for an exemption from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but it was denied for not having a good enough reason.
This means the car can’t be sold in the U.S., at least not for about two years. It’s a real drag for the small company, which just held an unveiling ceremony in Los Angeles and had more events planned for around the country.
Pagani said in a statement that its engineers are trying to figure out a way to install the right kind of airbag. Until then, speed junkies will have to settle for tired old Ferraris. (via CNNMoney)
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