Rented supercar rolls into ravine in Yilan after handbrake failure
A rare Italian supercar plunged into a 100m ravine in Yilan, Taiwan, after the driver allegedly failed to properly secure the handbrake.
The incident happened on the morning of 13 Sept, when a group of car enthusiasts gathered near a popular scenic cafe along the Beiyi Highway.
The custom Dallara Stradale was among the cars parked on a sloped area.
Vehicle rolled downhill after driver exited
CCTV footage showed the sports car slowly moving forward after the driver, a man surnamed Chang, stepped away.
The vehicle then veered off the road edge and rolled downhill.
Source: FTV News
Mr Chang was seen running after the car in an attempt to stop it, but the supercar continued moving before crashing through the roadside barrier and falling into the forested ravine.
No injuries reported after crash
Police and emergency responders, along with heavy crane machinery, arrived at the scene.
They found that the vehicle had been rented by Mr Chang.
Source: Liberty Times News (LTN)
It’s believed he did not fully engage the handbrake before he exited the car, resulting in the accident. Fortunately, no one was injured.
After several hours, rescue teams later helped recover the damaged vehicle from the ravine.
It sustained serious damage to its front end and chassis, with deep dents and structural impacts visible throughout the body.
Only three vehicles available in Taiwan
The Dallara Stradale is known for its lightweight design and performance-focused engineering.
Source: ETtoday
Officially launched in Taiwan last year, only three units are reported to exist across the island, with base pricing starting at NT$16.98 million (around S$680,000) and top-tier custom specifications reaching up to NT$29 million (around S$1.16 million).
Unlike many modern luxury vehicles, the car uses a traditional mechanical handbrake rather than an electronic parking brake.
Source: ETtoday
Online discussions noted that while the vehicle’s engine area did not appear to take the direct impact, the long fall could have caused serious damage to the carbon-fibre monocoque chassis and other components.
Repair costs could reach millions
Repair costs are expected to be substantial, potentially reaching millions of New Taiwan dollars.
Industry specialists noted that the vehicle may need to be shipped back to Dallara’s factory in Italy for full reconstruction or face being written off completely as a total loss.
Bystanders reported that Mr Chang suffered an emotional breakdown at the scene as emergency crews evaluated the wreckage.
He is likely liable for significant rental downtime compensation and depreciation fees.
Also read: Xiaomi car plunges off cliff & crashes into tree in China, family survives with minor injuries
Xiaomi car plunges off cliff & crashes into tree in China, family survives with minor injuries
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from FTV News and Liberty Times News (LTN).
