They stopped importing them in '81 or '82. The emisions equipment just robbed power from the engine, Euro 280E's had 177hp and US had 142hp (Cali versions had 137hp). A Euro 280E can cruise at 200km/hr (124mph), but a US loaded down with more weight can't hit 110mph. I test drive a Cali 280E and let me tell you these cars aren't very fast. I kept thinking it was a diesel but the clatter at idle was strangly missing.