Over the years, auto manufacturers worldwide have made some cool cars. Most cars from around the world make their way into foreign markets, while others are barred due to regulations. The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) vets cars entering the U.S. and decide if they are allowed or not. Extreme speed is one of the most common reasons for banning cars, and cars that fail safety tests are also not allowed in.

With the world becoming more conscious of the environment, the NHTSA can also ban cars for high emissions. Many cool cars have been banned, but in 1988, the Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act was declared. With the act, the United States offered immunity to some foreign cars, but these cars could only be street legal if they were 25 years old. Imagine waiting that long for a car. As a result, U.S. citizens have missed out on some exciting cars because of bans, so here are the ten coolest cars banned in the U.S. and the reasons for their ban.

10 1994 Toyota Supra

1994 Toyota Supra Sports Car
Via: BringaTrailer

The Toyota Supra always had a large fan base because of its impressive performance and cool styling. Toyota's 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine (the famous 2JZ) produced 320 horsepower and 315 lb-ft of torque. Car enthusiasts were known to modify their Toyota Supra and increase the engine output to about 1,000 horsepower.

1994 Toyota Supra Sports Car
Via: BringaTrailer

Thanks to the Supra's feature in Fast and Furious, the sports car gained more status. While earlier models of the Toyota Supra were available in the U.S., the 1994 model was banned. The main reason for this ban is the Supra's long-term reliability issues.

9 Nissan Figaro

1991 Nissan Figaro JDM Classic Car
Via: BringaTrailer

Nissan unveiled the Figaro model at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show, and later in 1991, the manufacturer released the production model of Figaro. The exterior design of the Nissan Figaro is simple with its round headlights. However, the most exciting thing about the car is its color options.

1992 Nissan Figaro
BringaTrailer

Nissan offered the Figaro in topaz mint, emerald green, lapis gray, and pale aqua. All colors are pastel and represent different seasons. For Figaro's interior, Nissan used simple ivory seats with a basic dashboard. Nissan sold 20,073 units in 1991, but people in the US couldn't get this car because it's a right-hand drive vehicle.

related: The Truth Behind Why Pop-Up Headlights Are Banned

8 Aston Martin Virage

Blue 1993 Aston Martin Virage
Via Bonhams

After unveiling the Aston Martin Virage at the 1988 Birmingham Motor Show, the manufacturer made the first place model in 1992. Aston Martin initially planned to use the Virage as their flagship model. The Grand Tourer uses a naturally-aspirated V8 engine capable of 326 hp at 6000 rpm and 350 lb-ft of torque at 3700 rpm.

1993 Aston Martin Virage Volante
Via Bonhams

When Aston Martin discontinued the model in 2000, only about 1,050 units of the Virage have been made. The Virage got banned in 1993 for not having adequate airbags and for not meeting up with the US emissions standards.

7 Lotus Elise Series 1

Lotus Elise Series 1
Via MotorBiscuit

British car makers– Lotus Cars started making the Lotus Elise roadster in 1996. In the '90s, the Lotus Elise Series 1 was known for its speed as it could accelerate 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds despite having just 118 hp.

Lotus-Elise-Series-1-1
Via HistoricsAuctions

The Lotus Elise roadster has three series, but the Series 1 is illegal in the United States. One primary reason for the ban is that Series 1 is right-hand drive while American roads are designed for left-hand drive cars. Another reason for the roadster's ban is the lack of a proper roof.

related: These Twelve States Want Biden To Ban Gas-Powered Vehicles By 2035

6 1993 Jaguar XJ220S

1993 Jaguar XJ220S
Via: Mecum Auctions

When the Jaguar XJ220 was introduced in1992, it immediately gained a massive fanbase. The sports car was fitted with a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged Jaguar JRV-6 engine to produce 542 horsepower. Later in 1993, the British manufacturer introduced a faster model– the Jaguar XJ220S.

1993 Jaguar XJ220 Biggest Supercar Flop Ever
Via: Mecum

The new model was modified to accelerate 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds with 680 hp. They only made six units of the XJ220S model, which were banned from the US. The Jaguar XJ220S exceeded the American speed limits at the time, with a top speed of 228 mph.

5 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R

1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R
Via MotorBiscuit

The 1999 R34 GT-R is a fifth-generation sports car of the Nissan Skyline. After its launch, the R34 GT-R got popular in the foreign market for its fresh design and technology. Nissan used the RB26DETT engine in the 1999 R34, and the car could produce 280 horsepower and accelerate 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds.

1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R
Via: AutoTrader

The 1999 R34 had a display system on the dashboard, which was rare for a car in that era. Due to unchecked vehicle importation in the US, the government passed the Motor Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988. With this new act, most foreign cars like the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R were stopped from entering the country.

related: These Are The Countries Moving The Fastest To Ban Combustion Engine Cars

4 Lotus 340R

2021 Lotus 340R
Via HistoricsAuctioneers

Lotus Cars first unveiled the 350R concept car at the 1998 Birmingham Motor Show. The Lotus 340R is a limited edition sports car with only 340 units built in 2000. Unlike other Lotus Cars models, the 340R is distinguished by the deep air filters on the hood.

2021 Lotus 340R
Via Bonhams

Fitted with a 1.8-liter Rover K Series I4 engine and a Rover 5-speed transmission system, the 340R can 252.5 hp. While it is road legal in the UK, the 340R is banned in the US as it has no windows, doors, or even roof.

3 2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Roadster

2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Roadster
ViaLKCars:YouTube

Like all Alfa Romeo models, the 8C Spider Roadster stands out from afar. With its big headlights on the hood and old-fashioned round taillights, the Spider is a design masterpiece. Under the hood, Alfa Romeo used a 4.7-liter V8 capable of 444 horsepower and 554 lb-ft of torque.

2010-Alfa-Romeo-8C-Spider-Roadster-1
Via DerOllie:YouTube

The 2010 model was fast enough to accelerate 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds. Since Alfa Romeo is an exotic brand, it's no surprise that they placed the Spider's price at $300,000. Unfortunately, the car is unavailable to people in the US. The 2010 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider was banned for being too powerful for American roads.

related: 10 Classic Car Features You Didn't Know Were Banned

2 2006 TVR Sagaris

2006 TVR Sagaris Rear
Via TVRunofficialblog

TVR started building the Sagaris in 2003, but the British manufacturer finally released a production model in 2005. Our focus is on the 2006 model, even though both models have similar specifications. The TVR Sagaris is a 4.0-liter speed six I6 engine that delivers 406 hp and 349 lb-ft of torque.

Red 2006 TVR Sagaris
Via Schmooautomotive

There are electronic driver assistance features like traction control and electronic stability control. The coupe's exterior design is unique with its wide sloping front. Unfortunately, the 2006 TVR Sagaris is one of those cars Americans wished they had, as the model got banned for being too powerful.

1 Wiesmann GT MF5

Wiesmann GT MF5
Via Kille007SP:YouTube

The GT M5 is probably the most prominent car from Wiesmann. German boutique sports carmaker– Wiesmann, filed for bankruptcy in 2013, just after showcasing the MF4 CS at the Geneva Motor Show. The Wiesmann GT MF5 was inspired by old British cars.

Wiesmann-GT-MF5-1
Via MPZRACEVideo:YouTube

Though the car's design was simple, it looks fresh and different from the traditional exterior design. Like Wiesmann models, the GT MF5 used an engine sourced from BMW. The BMW engine was capable of 555 horsepower, a top speed of 193mph, and an acceleration rate of 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds. There were only 20 models of the Wiesmann GT MF5 built, and that means it is too rare and too expensive for safety tests