As the world develops and technology advances, countries around the world are banning various vehicles on the roads. Perhaps that the most obvious reason is that some cars are considered too dangerous on the road, for example, due to a lack of airbags or stunning acceleration. The world is our home and also home to future generations, and some vehicles emit large amounts of pollutants that are toxic to the environment. Therefore, some governments consider it safer to ban the cars. Perhaps that some are banned for being too ugly, but of course, they will never tell you that.
Cars cause tens of thousands of lives to be lost every year. In a bid to reduce the numbers, some countries come up with vehicle regulations that adhere to modern technologies and that can help in saving lives while other countries across the world continue to update their "automated vehicle" solutions. However, due to public demand and because some of those cars are considered dream cars by some influential people in society, they can seek permission as an exception from a country for a car to enter as a show car on display. They can then get some profits from such practices, as the cars are only being banned on the roads.
20 Lotus Elise Series 1
The Elise series 1 models released between 1996-2001 are banned on the roads of America. The cars weighs in at less than 1,600 pounds and can accelerate up to 60 miles per hour in under 6 seconds. The car doesn't have a roof or windows, and thus, it's not considered fit to be on American roads due to safety reasons. But the Lotus Elite Series 1 isn't the only car without a window or a roof, so is that really enough reason for it to be banned? You can imagine the wrath of those auto-manufacturers who incurred millions in losses because NHTSA blacklisted the Lotus Elite Series 1. While people say there's no such thing as bad publicity, getting your car banned will scare consumers. However, there are those who love the thrill of driving a car without windows or roof on the open road, never mind that the car is illegal to drive on the road. After all, the forbidden fruit is the sweetest. However, the fact still remains you're very unlikely to see a Lotus Elise Series made between 1996 to 2001 on American roads. And if you do, you probably won't even notice.
19 Lamborghini Sesto Elemento
This is probably one of the sleekest vehicles Lamborghini ever made. The design is eye-catching from the very first glance, and it's a relatively lightweight car. It has more jagged angles and a creatively designed behind that would make one break his/her neck when turning to look. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in two seconds. However, it's still not considered fit for British roads due to the insane speed. Some critics argue that the power-to-weight ratio isn't convincing enough.
Despite the ban in Britain, the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento is still considered to be one of the coolest cars and continues to record high sales in other countries in the Middle East and to be used mainly as a race car due to its speed.
The Lamborghini Sesto is, however, considered to be a masculine car due to its design and speed, and it's said to have an "ego" look; therefore, it appeals more to men than women. However, this doesn't mean that ladies don't have a thing for this car, as most probably do, you'll find them enjoying the ride in the streets of Dubai but mostly riding shotgun. Lovers of design combined with power and speed find this Italian machine to be their favourite, but unfortunately, they can’t enjoy their ride in the streets of Britain.
18 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 ILE
The 650-horsepower Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 ILE, though loved by many Europeans, isn't allowed on European roads. It's a high-performance machine with a sharp dynamic design and a signature rear wing, which makes it a badass on the track. The front bumper has dive planes on it, which seem to be the main cause of the ban, as they're considered dangerous, which made the European government enforce the safety measure to protect pedestrians. The dive planes help the car in cooling down and maintaining its downforce, but to the regulators, it's perceived to be a weapon of mass destruction. The car is made and suited for the track due to its massive speed and stability on the roads. The 2018 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE recorded a 7:16:04 finish on the Nurburgring course, making it 16 seconds faster than the famed Shelby Mustang GT350R. The Europeans, however, will just have to enjoy the Chevrolet on the track. Surprisingly, the model is considered by critics to be an ugly car due to the many exterior fittings on it. Of course, that opinion can be greatly debated.
17 Pagani Zonda R
This is an Italian sports car produced by Pagani, which is known for its gorgeous exterior designs, high performance, and fine interior design that depicts perfectly the Italian culture. It has a top speed of 238 mph and an acceleration from 0-60 mph in 3 seconds. The car was released in 1999 and has several versions. With the listed top-notch characteristics, the car is one of the most expensive.
Despite the high pricing, it still has good sales numbers, mainly due to its high performance. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found the car to not be fit for American roads because its airbags have been found to not be good enough, leading to its ban.
Despite this ban in the USA, though, the car has grown in fame across the world. In fact, the USA allowed the car for display and show, but it's only permitted to be driven up to 2,500 miles per year. Therefore, lovers of this car can utilize this allowance given. However, its replacement, the Pagani Huayra, is still not legal in the USA.
16 Self-driving cars in India
Self-driving cars were banned in India even before they completely took off. It was foreseen by the ministry of transport and highways that it'll cause loss of jobs in the Indian population where a lot people are still jobless. Accidents in India are on the rise, and the self-driven cars would've reduced accidents on the road, as they're considered to be safe on the roads. Traffic is also another major problem in the streets of India, but some experts argue that self-driving cars would help in solving the problem because they're designed to adhere to the set traffic regulations. Europe and North America, however, see the great importance of self-driving cars, as they're considered safe and also play a key role in boosting the economy. In India, a good number of the population is still illiterate, and most of them depend on driving for a living, yet they don't know how to read the road signs, which leads to a huge number of accidents. However, it's clear the self-driving car would be appropriate to solve the problem with accidents. Maybe, things will change for the better in the future since self-driving cars are here to stay.
15 Morgan Le Mans '62 prototype
The Morgan Le Mans '62 prototype is a perfectly designed classic car, and it was first tested as a prototype before the Morgan Company built 80 limited-edition cars in 2002 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1962 Le Mans class win. The car is considered to be a traditional vehicle and has an interior to die for. It's fitted with a wooden dashboard and a wooden Mota-Lita steering wheel, which makes it stand out from the rest. The exterior is uniquely designed, and all the cars are painted the traditional green of the Morgan Le Mans and an ivory-colored carbon-fiber hard top. Most of the wheels of this car are fitted with "spinner" style wheels, which are argued to be one of the reasons why this car is considered illegal and unsafe on the roads as they may harm the legs of pedestrians. But just how would the legs get next to the spinner without first getting into contact with other car parts? The car has a powerful engine, as it's traditionally considered a race car. Despite the modification done on the car, the legendary vehicle still remains banned on U.S. roads due to safety concerns.
14 Volkswagen in South Korea
The South Korean market is dominated by Hyundai, Kia, and other domestically produced brands. However, other brands such as Audi, Volkswagen, Bentley brands have been on the rise. The South Korean government revoked Volkswagen's right to sell its 80 models across the country. South Korea is known to be very strict on environmental matters, and it didn't take lightly the claim that Volkswagen had installed fake emission software in their diesel-powered cars. This meant that the emission would still be a threat to the environment. In a bid to conserve the environment and protect the safety of the people, the authorities banned the cars, and Volkswagen suspended most of its activity in the country. Volkswagen admitted that it had installed emission-deception software in its cars. In reaction to the scandal, countries such as the USA went to court and initiated criminal proceedings against the company. South Korea also sought intervention from the courts of law as it argued that Volkswagen had acted contrary to the clean-air laws put in place. Many countries across the world have also gone ahead and revoked the certifications they had granted to Volkswagen, forcing the company to initiate a modification process on all the cars that had that fault.
13 TVR Tuscan
Movie lovers must be familiar with this iconic car that has been featured in many movies and in the famous John Travolta film Swordfish. The TVR Tuscan is a powerful supercar and known mostly for its superb acceleration and the powerful sound that can be heard from a distance when the car hits top speed. Most of the enthusiasts of this vehicle seem to like the classy design of this vehicle. However, the car lacks airbags and modern antilock brakes, making it unsafe for road users.
Most people also don't trust it on bumpy roads and sharp bends, which led the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to include this classy car in its banned list, as it's hazardous to road users.
The NHTSA doesn't seem to like the TVR on the roads and even went ahead to ban the TVR T350, the TVR Cerbera, and the TVR Sagaris. Serious and costly modifications have to be made for them to be permitted on the roads, but for now, the lovers of this sleek machine can enjoy the ride only on a PlayStation and other video games but not on American roads.
12 2012 Saab 9-5 SportCombi
The Saab caught the attention of many lovers of design when it was showcased as the "SportCombi" in 2012. However, the Saab went bankrupt, and it affected their manufacturing, the Saab 9-5 being produced in small numbers over the period. The SportCombi is also banned in the Atlantic side region. The vehicle was a prototype and never deemed worthy for road usage. Thus the 9-5 SportCombi wasn't seen on European roads.
Due to the bankruptcy proceedings, Saab wasn't able to provide the proper documentation to give officials a starting point to make the vehicle street legal, including a "Certificate of Conformity."
The lack of this certificate has been challenged in court, but it hasn't been received well. The Saab 9-5 is said to be one of the best Saab vehicles due to its powerful engine and the smooth and refined exterior design, which would make it suitable as a family car. The unique feature is the rear seat, which has a 60/40 split-back design that can fold nearly flat without removing the rear seat headrest and also has a relatively large leg room, which makes it comfortable for long journeys.
11 Lotus 340R
Lotus is known for its classy and unique designs, and it's preferred as a sports car across the world. The Lotus Elise S1 is a lightweight car, fast and stable when taking corners. However, NHTSA concluded that they aren't safe enough to be driven in the United States. The Lotus has a smooth exterior and is considered mostly to be a feminine car. However, its powerful engine and massive horsepower make it a beast on the road. It's alleged that the car was included on the banned list due to its high speed and the extraordinary takeoff that it has. The company has made efforts to make modifications on its cars. However, the NHTSA is still not convinced that it's a safe car on the roads. The owners of this unique machine might as well keep it for future generations. One notable example of a banned Lotus is the Elise S1 produced from 1996 to 2001.
10 Volkswagen Scirocco R
Canada is one of the countries with strict measures on road cars, and these strict policies on the ground often make automakers deny Canadians fun on the road, as some of the best models never make it to Canada. This is because some low-volume cars will cost the automakers a lot. The Volkswagen Sirocco R was one of the cars that were eagerly awaited by Volkswagen lovers across the world. It must've broken the heart of many Volkswagen lovers in Canada when they got the news the famous company won't bring the car in the country. The car is believed to be a masculine car due to its big rear, and it's powered by a four-cylinder and a 2-liter turbocharged engine. It has a captivating interior, and despite its masculine look, it's fitted with four seats. It's so unfortunate that the car won't be enjoyed on Canadian roads, but it's still available in other countries. The car lovers in Canada always hope that their country will lower its standards a little bit to be able to fulfill their desires for some powerful cars.
9 Land Rover Defender
The Land Rover Defender is considered worldwide as one of the best cars in the world. It was one of the most famous cars of the '90s, and lovers of rugged vehicles felt satisfied with that make. The Land Rover Defender is mainly an off-road car due to its high suspension and strong body. In most parts of the world, it's used as a tourist car. The Defender is also preferred for use in the army, as it can easily adapt to rough terrain. In recent days, it's evolved, and cool guys seem to use it as a party crasher.
Despite the fact that the car is popular and loved by many, it's still not considered fit on USA roads due to safety measures.
It's argued that it has an issue with the airbags. The car, however, is still considered to be one of the safest cars in other parts of the world. The company is expected to make a comeback in USA roads after modification but in the meantime, enthusiasts of this powerful vehicle can enjoy it while in other countries on holidays where it is allowed.
8 Honda Civic Type R
The fourth generation made its long-awaited debut in 2015 and possesses a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and a 6-speed manual transmission that gives it enormous power on the road. For safety measures, the car is equipped with a modern anti-lock braking system and front/side airbags. It has a well-designed exterior; the bumper is wider, which makes it stand out, and it's also fitted with a rigid chassis, which can only be found in the three-door hatchback model. The Honda Civic Type R is one of the fastest productions by Honda that can race comfortably against the famous Golf GTI. However, the Honda company made it clear that the Civic Type R is a European-only model and is not going to be available in the Canadian market. The many Canadians who love the blend of speed and power cars can just enjoy this smooth operator on the roads of Europe. The company has however not given adequate reasons why the Civic Type R was only meant for European roads. The heavier chassis as expected, reduces the speed slightly.
7 Alfa Romeo Giulietta
There's no better way to introduce The Alfa Romeo Giulietta other than mentioning speed. It's known for its super acceleration, and it's in the league of the VW Golf and the Ford Focus. It is fitted with a dual clutch transmission. It has a classy alfa grille on its hatchback body, and the nose of the car is a masterclass in design. It has a powerful engine boasting a 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder that gives the beast enough power and endurance on the track. On one occasion Craft-Bamboo Racing staged a protest at the Australian race event against the illegal turbochargers fitted in the Alfa Romeo.
The Alfa Romeo Giulietta is also not allowed in Canada.
It pulled out of the North American market as it hadn't met the safety measures standards in 1995. The company made numerous modifications on its vehicle, and it was set to make a return in 2010 but it was still was rejected in America. The Canadians have noticed a consistency in that if America denies a car on their roads, their authorities also follow the restrictions blindly.
6 Lada Niva
This car is one of the most popular cars in Europe and is considered a legend with a design that resembles that of the Land Rover. The car is well built and is mostly used for long-distance travels. It's a four-wheel drive and is preferred for off-road duties, as it's an absolute monster with a reliable, powerful engine. One cannot enjoy the ride in USA roads, as it's considered not safe. Also, being a diesel car, its omissions are harmful to the environment. This car was previously used by top government officials, as it was considered to be stable and powerful. The company made huge sales in the first production as it wasn't as expensive as the Land Rover, yet they had almost similar qualities. The Lada Niva is also a low-maintenance car, and it serves the purpose perfectly, as it adapts well to the city jungle. The principles and ideas used in the past have been perfectly maintained with slight modifications on the latest versions. With all that being said, the Lada Niva is still inadmissible on American roads.
5 1992 Smart Crossblade
The Smart Crossblade is a German-made car and a relatively small one. Before the Smart Fortwo was ever sold in America, there was the Smart Crossblade. This car has no doors, no windshield, and no roof despite it being considered a lightweight vehicle. One might think that the makers of the cars slept on their jobs. The Smart Crossblade was, however, produced in limited numbers. The car is naturally considered a US vehicle. Due to its lack of essential and protective parts, the car is considered to be dangerous on the roads. However, the makers of this limited edition didn't modify the vehicle so as to meet the standards, and America wasn't considered a priority. Europe didn't receive this car model, too, and it wasn't that popular among consumers. But even if you were offered such a car, most likely, you would give it to your child to play with it as a toy in your home's backyard. Honestly, this car looks like a toy since it comes with no roof, no windshield, and no doors. To make it worse, it's a small 2-seater and somehow resembles a golf cart. Now, you get why the authorities don't want to see it next to a truck on the highway.
4 BMW M135i Hatchback
The BMW 1 series is easily noticeable from a distance due to its sporty and sleek design. The car is perfect on urban roads and offers an athletic performance due to its endurance and speed. The car is fitted with modern technology and has a touch-controlled infotainment system. The sound system in the car and the comfort it offers make it a preferred family car. Its interior is definitely of a world-class design and offers a blend of a sports and a family car that brings a lot of pleasure when driving the car. It's popularly referred to as a ‘fast-love car,' maybe due to its reliability and ability to adapt when change is needed. The car has a two-door hatchback, and due to unclear reasons, you’re very unlikely to see this car on U.S. roads. Perhaps, there are some industry politics we don’t know about. BMW is known for their keen interest in the safety of road users, and they still maintain that the car is safe to road users; hence, no modification has taken place in the vehicle. The BMW M1 series, however, is still permitted on the soil of most countries.
3 Audi RS 6 Avant
The Audi RS 6 Avant is a wagon and supercar that most lovers of speed would want to own in town. It has a classy shape, and though relatively small, it can be recognized from a distance, maybe through its powerful sound or sleek design. The Audi R6 Avant can also be caught on weekends as young couples take their kids out. The lighting of this machine is definitely world class and makes it look so beautiful on the streets but, unfortunately, not on the streets of Canada. Additionally, its shape and exterior don't make it look like a supercar but more of a small family car, and this adaptive feature makes it one of the wanted cars around. It can perfectly get into a race with the Mazda 6 diesel wagon.
However, this car cannot be found on Canadian streets, and it's again due to the strict measures that always discourage automakers to bring their cars to Canada.
This is one of the cars that I personally feel should be on the super-constructed Canada roads, as it's a stable closed car that has a powerful engine. Looks like it was specifically made for Canadian roads, but enthusiasts can only hope the future will change for the better.
2 Lamborghini Strosek Diablo
Exterior modification had to be made to the Lamborghini Diablo to come up with the Lamborghini Strosek Diablo. It's a sports car that can hit a top speed of 200 mph. The main reason why this famous car was banned is its top speed and its huge engine that supplies it with enormous power, which can cause accidents on the road, as the drivers can easily lose control. This made the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration include the sleek car on its banned list. The unique feature of this vehicle is that the side mirrors are placed slightly above the doors, which the regulators also consider to be a risk, especially when the car hits top speed. The bumper and the nose of this vehicle has smooth endings, which make it eye-catching and admirable; the headlights are also perfectly fitted and modified, which distinguishes it from the Lamborghini Diablo. However, all is not lost for the lovers of this supercar since they can still own it at the backyard of their homes and admire the beauty, but unfortunately, they can't get the best out of this machine, as they're considered to be unsafe on the roads by the regulators.
1 Mercedes CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake
The Mercedes has a stylish look and a smooth exterior that makes people twist their necks when they spot the German machine on the road. The Shooting Brake was introduced in 2012, and the CLS 63AMG was the first model to debut it. It's also a powerful beast with a 5.5-liter V8 engine. It's one fast vehicle, and this might be the reason why it's still illegal in America. Mercedes-Benz has, for a long time, offered powerful engine cars to America, and rarely do you see low-spec cars in America. Brand enthusiasts still have a lot of questions to ask as to why this car is illegal in the USA, and the reasons given aren't sufficient. Other Mercedes-Benzes that are not allowed include the Mercedes-Benz V Class, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Pickup, and the Mercedes Benz G300 CDI Professional Pritsche W461. However, most of these cars are still allowed in Europe, South America, and parts of Africa.