Must-Have Super Car: $1.6 Million and Not Yet Legal
CNBC's Robert Frank reports more than a dozen Americans have paid more than a million dollars for the much-hyped super car.

The Pagani Huayra holds many distinctions. It's arguably the most anticipated super-car in the United States this year, with a $1.2 million price tag and top speed of more than 230 m.p.h.

It's won multiple "super-car of the year" awards in Europe and car connoisseur Jay Leno has called it "unbelievable, like a dream come true." Richard Hammond, host of Britain's "Top Gear" said the car is so unreal "it may be a unicorn."

With its jet-like engine, radical curves and glittering cockpit, it's clear that the Pagani was inspired by the twin pursuits of aerospace and art. (Huayra means "God of the Winds" in ancient Inca dialect).

Pagani has sold 105 Huayra's globally, and 18 in the United States. Because the company is making only 40 a year, some cars may take more than a year and a half to be delivered. The first Huayra is scheduled to be delivered to the United States sometime in July.

But there's another small issue with the Pagani: it's not yet legal on these shores. While proud owners are driving them around Europe, there's only one in the United States being used as a showcar.

Read more: Must-Have Super Car: $1.6 Million and Not Yet Legal

 

It said in the DRIVE documentary that they needed to produce 11 Huayra's just for US crash testing, even if only 1 vehicle can survive all the crash tests. This is interesting because Koenigsegg was able to use just 1 car for crash testing and got US homolgation. Maybe they have changed the rules since. Was the Zonda ever US legal? If so they could do what Koenigsegg/other small manufacturures due, and just call the new car an upgrade of the first one instead of a whole new car, because then it does not need to be crash tested again.

 

Well it is a new car. I don't think the government will just let you "call it as you need too" all of the k-seggs are evolutions of previous models. The huayra isn't the same chassis as a zonda is it?

 

They are different chassis and the Zonda was not legal in the states. You could import one under the Ralph Lauren law. There are a few in the states.

 

The Koenigseggs aren't just new bodies and engines, the CC8S, CCR, CCX, and Agera all have completely different chassis. They are each as different from each other as a Zonda is from a Huayra.

 

The difference is Koenigsegg uses a much better F1 crash structure with aluminium and carbon fibre from GE Aviation Systems and the monocoque stayed together so they didn't have to use a new one for each test. One Koenigsegg is good for about 13 individual crash tests which is why the folks at Volvo called it "the best they've ever seen".

If Pagani also could also use just one car they would have done so.

 

^Well they do..they also has used the same monocoque on all of their crash cars..

(The carbon/titanium central tub is so strong it has been used in seven crash tests so far, says Pagani proudly. They simply removed the buckled front and rear subframes after each test, and bolted on new ones.)

Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...#ixzz2HKts8lsz

 

Yes, this is nothing special for Koeniggsegg. Most CF tub cars are strong enough that they can be reused for crash testing. Pretty sure the MP4-12C or the Aventador did the same. Don't remember.

 

I think it is the best supercar around!

 

all will be fine.. it will be here.