Supercars Need Safety, Too

You may think they’re all speed and insanity, but supercar safety is a real factor in design, engineering, and even purchasing.

How so, you might ask? Well, it goes beyond LED lighting.

The 2022 McLaren Artura is a solid example of supercar safety

McLaren Artura pic.twitter.com/Ccc3qVHvba

— Formula One World (@FormulaOneWorld) February 26, 2021

Take a peek at the 2022 McLaren Artura, a brand-spankin’-new British supercar that somehow manages to exude 671 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque.

All the while, the Artura emphasizes driver assistance features that make joyriding easier. At the most basic level, outward visibility is extraordinary.

More actively, drivers for the Artura will find available options like:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Automatic high beams
• Road-sign recognition

The Artura starts at a measly $229,500 (pshhh—pocket change). With that in mind, there better be some safety to keep you driving that thing for as long as possible. 

Consider safety in the Ferrari F8 Tributo

The latest variation of the F8 Tributo was first revealed in 2019. Despite the fact that it goes from 0–62 MPH in just 2.9 seconds, there is some supercar safety in this thing.

First and foremost, brake assist helps keep collisions at bay. Meanwhile, traction control, side slip control, and a backup camera do the hard work while the driver has all the fun. There’s also something called the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer Plus, which controls all those individual features automatically.

Rear sensors and a parking aid round things out for the F8 Tributo, the $280,000 successor for the 488 GTB.

Can’t forget about the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ

Want to go higher than 215 MPH? Then look at the Lambo Aventador SVJ, which has supercar safety features to accompany its sheer force.

The car’s stability control is super important, especially considering past supercars’ issues with high-speed stability (I’m looking at you, Porsche). More interesting is the carbon-fiber monocoque chassis with aluminum reinforcements, which protects drivers from crashes up to certain speeds. Of course, driving in excess of safe limits should only be done on the track—but there’s no harm in a little extra tension and security. 

The caveat of supercar safety in the U.S.

A lot of supercars are extremely luxurious, which means they’re extremely expensive—which means there’s a limited amount being produced.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) both have a minimum limit on production units in order to crash test a vehicle. As a result, you won’t be seeing safety scores for supercars on the regular, but that doesn’t mean they’re not independently tested and vetted.

Of course, safety isn’t most people’s top priority when purchasing a supercar, but supercar safety nonetheless is essential.