A car crash on the Chugoku Expressway near Shimonoseki, Japan is being touted as the most expensive car crash ever. The wreck took the lives off 8 Ferraris -- A couple of 355s, an F430, an F430 Scuderia, a couple of 360s -- a Lamborghini, a Prius, three Mercs, an unidentified Toyota and then some other cars that were apparently not expensive enough to mention. There were no human deaths, but 10 people sustained minor injuries.
The lead driver of the supercar convoy "crashed into the left embankment and bounced off toward me" a man said to NHK. Another unidentified eye witness said "a group of cars was doing 140 - 160 kilometres (85-100 miles) per hour. One off them spun and they all ended up in this great mess."
Shockingly, the Police, too say that the drivers here were speeding.
Total damage is listed at $4 million but our math is having a hard time getting this anywhere above $2 million with current market values (in the US).
Videos of the aftermath after the jump.
greenpony says:
10:16 AM, 12/ 5/11
Way to go. Undoubtedly their insurance will buy them replacements.
mtakahashi says:
11:12 AM, 12/ 5/11
This is why we can't have nice things!
csubowtie says:
11:36 AM, 12/ 5/11
Wow, how embarrassing. Not only did this guy wipe out a ton of supercars, he did it by spinning out at only 100 mph (estimated) on a road that doesn't look that curvy. Are they sure he did spin out trying to dodge Prius who undoubtedly got into the fast lane doing 10 under the speed limit? (I'm joking, so please don't sick a gang of Prius drivers on me)
sniperruff says:
01:06 PM, 12/ 5/11
"Total damage is listed at $4 million but our math is having a hard time getting this anywhere above $2 million with current market values (in the US)"
- The after-market spoilers add 150% value to any car.
Looks like a bunch of idiots driving too fast in traffic with the Prius getting pinned. Unexpected.
sharpend says:
03:11 PM, 12/ 5/11
Come on, that'll buff right out.
explorerx4 says:
04:40 PM, 12/ 5/11
They black Ferrari is still willing to try to pass.
transpower says:
09:07 AM, 12/ 6/11
The Prius is the odd-one-out here....
ispano says:
09:38 PM, 12/ 9/11
$4mil US sounds about right considering it is Japan. Everything will be paid at "premium" cost since the Japanese have a tendency to be willing to dish out ridiculous amounts of money for foreign luxury goods.
An interesting thing to note is that there was an NSX amidst this group of enthusiasts who were headed to a potluck/meet that was the only exotic to avoid getting into the pile-up.
The 34-year old driver of the NSX interviewed and quoted on japanese news said he had to slam his brakes but was able to avoid getting involved. It's no surprise given the excellent visibility, super-rigid lightweight body, low-mounted mid-ship engine layout and balance the NSX provides.
Ironic for the Italian "super" cars, yet vindicating for the NSX !