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Panoz Esperante
Overview
Manufacturer	Panoz, LLC
Production	2000–2007 (1st Gen) 2014–2015 (2nd Gen)
Assembly	Braselton, Georgia 30548, United States
Body and chassis
Layout	FR layout
Chronology
Successor	Panoz Avezzano (for Coupe Model)

The Esperante is a sports car made by Panoz, an American car manufacturer.

First generation

First generation
Panoz Esperante GTLM
Overview
Production	2000–2007
Assembly	Braselton, Georgia 30548, United States
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door coupé (Esperante GTLM) 2-door convertible
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	4.6 L (281 CID) Modular V8 4.6 L Supercharged Modular V8
Transmission	4-speed Automatic, 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	106 in (2,700 mm)
Length	185.9 in (4,720 mm)
Width	73.7 in (1,870 mm)
Height	53.2 in (1,350 mm)
Curb weight	3,384 lb (1,535 kg)

First shown at the 2000 New York Motor Show, the Esperante followed up on the company's first model, the minimal Roadster. The company designed the Esperante to be easy to manufacture, with the chassis designed in five modules making extensive use of extruded aluminum. There was no welding involved, pieces were bonded and bolted together instead. Panoz also took advantage of the numerous aviation craftsmen located in and around Atlanta, for design and manufacture as well.

There have been several versions of the original Esperante: the original base model (later given the GT moniker), the GTLM coupe, the GTS, the JRD (an aftermarket upgrade brand similar to Roush Mustangs), and the Brabham. Each model has different specifications. The GTLM, for example, uses a supercharger to boost power from 305 hp (227 kW) to 420 hp (313 kW), raising performance from 0–60 mph in 5 seconds to 4 seconds. The GTS on the other hand is built as a driver's class spec car, to SCCA standards, with harness, roll cage, side bars, etc. Additionally, it is around 600 lb (272 kg) lighter than the base Esperante, has a steel 5.8 liter V8 racing engine that produces 385 bhp (287 kW; 390 PS), and is made of easily replaceable panels to facilitate small impact race repair. It can do 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.2 seconds, go up to a top speed of 182 mph (293 km/h), and achieve 0.98 g of lateral grip.

Panoz' engines for the first generation were sourced from Ford Motor Company's Modular V8 family.

Specification

Body and chassis

• Layout: Front/mid-engine, rear wheel drive, luxury sport convertible
• Body: Hand assembled lightweight SPF aluminum.
• Chassis: Hand built Modular extruded aluminium, bolted and bonded to steel subframes

Engine and drivetrain

• Engine: Ford Modular, Hand assembled DOHC, 32-valve, 90-degree, aluminum V8
• Displacement: 4,601 cc
• Power: 305 hp (227 kW) at 5800 rpm
• Torque: 320 lb⋅ft (434 N⋅m) at 4200 rpm
• Compression Ratio: 9.8:1
• bore by stroke: 3.55 by 3.54 in (90.2 by 90.0 mm)
• Fuel: Gasoline 93 octane
• Fuel injection: Sequential electronic indirect multi-point
• Ignition: Distributorless, coil-on-plug
• Transmission: Tremec T45 5-speed manual; 4-speed automatic (optional)
• Gear Ratios: 1st: 3.37:1 2nd: 1.99:1 3rd: 1.33:1 4th: 1.00:1 5th: 0.67:1

Rev: 3.22:1 Final: 3.27:1

• Differential: Limited-slip type, 8.8 inch (224 mm) ring gear, aluminum case
• Weight: 1,200 kg (2,646 lb)

Performance

• 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h): 4.2 seconds (Esperante GTLM)
• 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h): 4.9 seconds (Esperante GT)
• 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h): 5.1 seconds (Esperante)
• Quarter Mile: 13.4 seconds at 107.3 mph (Esperante GT)
• Quarter Mile: 13.7 seconds at 103.5 mph (Esperante)
• Lateral Acceleration: 0.96 gram (Esperante GT)
• Lateral Acceleration: 0.92 gram (Esperante)
• Top Speed: 155 mph (250 km/h) with manual transmission
• Top Speed: 150 mph (242 km/h) with automatic transmission

Suspension

• Front: Fully independent short-long arm (SLA) double wishbone configuration with gas charged Eibach coil-over shock absorbers and anti-roll bar
• Rear: Fully independent, double wishbone with horizontally opposed, pushrod-and-rocker activated Penske gas charged coil-over shock absorbers and anti-roll bar.
• Wheels: Aluminum BBS, 17 by 9 inches (430 by 230 mm)
• Installed Tires: Yokohama, Dunlop P255/45ZR17

Brakes

• Manufacturer: Performance Friction Brakes
• Type: Four-wheel power assisted ventilated discs
• ABS: Electronic three channel, four sensor
• Front: Dual-piston caliper with high-pressure steel braided brake lines and 13 inch (330 mm) vented steel rotor
• Rear: Single-piston caliper with 11.7 inch (297 mm) vented steel rotor

Steering

• Type Power assisted rack and pinion
• Turns lock-to-lock: 2.5
• Ratio: 15:1

Dimensions and capacities

• Seating Capacity: 2
• Wheelbase: 106.0 in (2.713 m)
• Track: front 60.9 in (1.55 m), rear 63.2 in (1.58 m)
• Overall Length: 176.3 in (4.478 m)
• Overall Width: 73.2 in (1.859 m)
• Overall Height: 53.4 in (1.356 m)
• Ride Height: 5.0 in (127 mm)
• Curb Weight: 3200 lb (1,450 kg)
• Fuel Capacity: 15.7 U.S. gal (59.4 L)

Other Technical specifications

• AM/FM/ audio system With Subwoofers and dual Speakers
• Air Conditioning
• Power windows
• Cruise Control
• Traction Control
• Stability control
• Power Folding Convertible top for the convertible model

Second generation

Introduced in 2014, the 2015 430-hp Spyder and 560-hp Spyder GT were only in production for about a year. As well as the Ford Modular V8, the second generation was equipped with more powerful General Motors LS engines, with available supercharging.

Racing (Panoz Esperante GTLM)

Panoz Esperante GTLM

Category	American Le Mans Series GT2 24 Hours of Le Mans GT2
Constructor	Panoz
Designer(s)	Don Panoz Tom Milner Sr. Simon Marshall Nick Alcock
Technical specifications
Chassis	Modular extruded aluminium peripheral frame forming the basis for a semi monocoque central structure, unibody space frame, bolted and bonded to optimized tubular front and rear steel subframes
Suspension (front)	Double A-arm with coil springs, adjustable anti-roll bar
Suspension (rear)	As front
Length	4,722 mm (186 in)
Width	1,872 mm (74 in) excluding side rear view mirror 1,973 mm (78 in) including side rear view mirror
Height	1351–1356 mm (53.2–53.4 in) depending on use of ride height (medium ride height: 1,353.5 mm (53.3 in))
Axle track	Front: 1552–1608 mm (61.1–63.3 in) Rear: 1542–1626 mm (60.7–64 in)
Wheelbase	2,692 mm (106 in)
Engine	Ford-Élan Modular M-6007-T50EA 5.0 L (305 cu in) V8 90° cylinder angle, 32-valve, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, naturally aspirated (no Turbocharger), front engined, longitudinally mounted
Transmission	Hewland IGTC 6-speed sequential manual gearbox, Xtrac Salisbury adjustable mechanical limited-slip differential
Power	476 hp (355 kW) @ 5500 rpm, over 476 ft⋅lbf (645 N⋅m) @ 5500 rpm torque
Weight	1,200 kg (2,646 lb) (including driver)
Fuel	Ethanol E10, 90% gasoline
Lubricants	Moty's
Tyres	Yokohama ADVAN Dunlop Front: 320/65 - R18 Rear: 330/71 - R18 BBS aluminum wheels Front: 12.5 x 18 inches Rear: 13 x 18 inches
Competition history
Notable entrants	Multimatic Motorsports Panoz Team PTG Robertson Racing
Notable drivers	Scott Maxwell David Brabham Gunnar Jeannette Tommy Milner Sébastien Bourdais Bill Auberlen Joey Hand Tom Kimber-Smith Ross Smith David Robertson Andrea Robertson David Murry Arie Luyendyk Jr. Bryan Sellers Tom Sutherland Dominik Farnbacher Ian James
Debut	2006 12 Hours of Sebring
Races Wins Poles F/Laps 43 0 0 0
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0

A racing version of the Esperante known as the Esperante GT-LM was developed by Panoz for the GT2 category of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. 2006 was a year of noticeable achievement for Panoz.

The #50 Multimatic Motorsports Team Panoz Esperante GT-LM took a first place podium finish at the 55th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring beating GT2 regulars BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, and Spyker.

That June the #81 Panoz Esperante GT-LM campaigned by England-based Team LNT managed to outlast and overtake the remaining LMGT2 contenders in the final hour of the 2006 24 Hours of Le Mans.

In Europe, Team LNT will be campaigning two Esperantes also. They will be competing in the British GT Championship and Le Mans Endurance Series. Team LNT will be returning to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2007 with both the #81 and #82 cars.

During the 2007 American Le Mans season the Panoz Esperante GTLM will be managed, stateside, by Tom Milner and Team PTG. They will be campaigning two GT-LMs (#20 and #21). Team PTG scored 1 GT2 class podium in the hands of Bill Auberlen and Joey Hand in 2007 Sports Car Challenge of St. Petersburg. In the same year, Panoz Esperante GTLM also fielded Robertson Racing Team as 2007 ALMS season part-time entries in the hands of Andrea Robertson, David Robertson and Arie Luyendyk Jr.

References

1. Panoz Motors | Elite Custom Handmade Sports Cars
2. ^ Lyons, Pete (2000-04-24). "Practical Passion". AutoWeek. Vol. 5, no. 26. Crain Communications Inc. p. 18.
3. Lyons 2000, p. 19
4. "2015 Panoz Esperante Spyder GT". topspeed.com. Retrieved September 23, 2020.

• Holmes, Mark (2007). Ultimate Convertibles: Roofless Beauty. London: Kandour. pp. 122–123. ISBN 978-1-905741-62-5.

External links

• Panoz LLC
• Team LNT
• Team PTG Panoz

• Panoz vehicles
• Sports cars
• Cars introduced in 2000