Ever see a Panoz-Esperante
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Ever see a Panoz-Esperante
SPECIFICATIONS:
Engine type: DOHC 32 valve V-8
Displacement: 4.6L (4601cc)
Power: 320 bhp
Torque: 317 lb.-ft.
Redline: 6800 rpm
Transmission: 5 speed manual
PERFORMANCE:
0-60: 5.2 sec
0-100: 12.4 sec
0-150: 50.1 sec
1/4 mile: 13.6 sec
Top Speed: 151 mph
PANOZ ESPERANTE 1999
--------------------
Note: On some cars, the coeficient of drag has been estimated because not all manufacturers tell that about a car.
CAR SPECIFICATIONS
Engine Displacement: 4601 cc.
Engine Location: FRONT
Engine Type: NORMAL
Engine Max Horsepower: 320 bhp
@: 6000 rpm
Engine Torque: 317 lb-ft
@: 4750 rpm
Compression Ratio: 9.8 :1
Maximum engine speed: 6800 rpm
Transmission Type: MANUAL
Number of Gears: 5
Gear Ratio 1st: 3.37 :1
Gear Ratio 2nd: 1.99 :1
Gear Ratio 3rd: 1.33 :1
Gear Ratio 4th: 1.00 :1
Gear Ratio 5th: 0.67 :1
Final drive ratio: 3.27 :1
Driving wheels: REAR
Car test weight: 3260 lb.
% weight on front wheels: 50 %
Wheelbase: 106.0 in.
Tire section width: 245 mm.
Wheel diameter: 17 in.
Tire profile: 45 %
Coefficient of drag: 0.39
Frontal area: n/a
Overall height: 53.4 in.
Overall width: 73.2 in.
Ground clearance: 4.5 in.
I'll post the pics of the one we had at work later.
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2000 Esperante Luxury Sport Convertible
To Join Panoz' Handcrafted Lineup
With its classic styling, advanced extruded aluminum multi-cell chassis and aluminum body panels, the hand-built 2000 Panoz Esperante is another example of American ingenuity and the second aluminum-intensive vehicle (AIV) from Panoz Auto Development in three years. It is a forerunner of twenty-first century automobiles.
Like the Panoz Esperante GTR-1 that stunned the racing world at Le Mans in 1997 and won the USRRC team championship in 1998, the road-going Esperante is a direct result of the pioneering spirit at Panoz and makes the Panoz lineup much more versatile. "I wanted to expand on what we learned from the Roadster and create a more mainstream, but no less special car," said Panoz Auto Development founder and president, Daniel Panoz. "The Esperante appeals to enthusiast drivers who want power and style without sacrificing much else."
Aluminum Chassis Technology
At the core of the Esperante is a lightweight, large-bore multi-celled extruded aluminum chassis. Its design reduces the number of required parts and minimizes assembly labor without sacrificing strength or rigidity. "By thinking Ôoutside the box' we were able to come up with a strong, efficient design that could be cost-competitive," said Panoz.
Developed in a partnership with RAMCO, a subsidiary of Reynolds Aluminum, the chassis can be assembled quickly and efficiently. Chassis components are fit together then bonded with a strong structural adhesive and mechanically fastened to assure a solid foundation. Independent subframe modules carry suspension and powertrain components.
Innovative composite superstructures further increase torsional rigidity while providing mounting points for aluminum body panels.
Specially Formed Body
Panoz Auto Development was the first U.S. auto manufacturer to use Super Plastic Forming (SPF), a patented process normally used in close-tolerance aviation and aerospace industries, to form the aluminum body panels in it's A.I.V. Roadster AIV. SPF is also used to shape the Esperante's strong body panels.
Aluminum sheets are heated to just below their melting point, then drawn evenly into or around a mold under both air and vacuum pressures. The process yields a more uniform, dent-resistant panel than standard stamping techniques.
Designers worked with DZN Studios in Irvine, California to sculpt Esperante's classic lines. The coupe's long flowing nose and short chiseled deck set it apart from its contemporaries. Recessed headlight buckets lead smoothly back over arched fenders to a narrow waistline. Prominent side vents behind front wheel arches highlight the car's graceful presence. Low, muscular rear quarters flare up and out.
A unique power top will feature a rigid forward section to provide a more attractive profile and reduce interior noise while in its raised position while also providing better sealing characteristics than a conventional soft-top. A cloth headliner insulates occupants and conceals the top's intricate framework. When lowered, the top will sit neatly below the rear deck to keep the car's lines clean and keep rearward visibility clear.
Suspension
The Esperante utilizes race-inspired fully independent front and rear suspension systems. Short-long arm (SLA) arrangements with adjustable coil over shock absorbers offer exceptional handling and comfort characteristics.
Taking a cue from the successful Esperante GTR-1 racing car, the road going Esperante incorporates unique laterally opposed pushrod and rocker activated shock absorbers into its rear suspension geometry. An isolated modular subframe provides all the rear suspension components' mounting points.
To Join Panoz' Handcrafted Lineup
With its classic styling, advanced extruded aluminum multi-cell chassis and aluminum body panels, the hand-built 2000 Panoz Esperante is another example of American ingenuity and the second aluminum-intensive vehicle (AIV) from Panoz Auto Development in three years. It is a forerunner of twenty-first century automobiles.
Like the Panoz Esperante GTR-1 that stunned the racing world at Le Mans in 1997 and won the USRRC team championship in 1998, the road-going Esperante is a direct result of the pioneering spirit at Panoz and makes the Panoz lineup much more versatile. "I wanted to expand on what we learned from the Roadster and create a more mainstream, but no less special car," said Panoz Auto Development founder and president, Daniel Panoz. "The Esperante appeals to enthusiast drivers who want power and style without sacrificing much else."
Aluminum Chassis Technology
At the core of the Esperante is a lightweight, large-bore multi-celled extruded aluminum chassis. Its design reduces the number of required parts and minimizes assembly labor without sacrificing strength or rigidity. "By thinking Ôoutside the box' we were able to come up with a strong, efficient design that could be cost-competitive," said Panoz.
Developed in a partnership with RAMCO, a subsidiary of Reynolds Aluminum, the chassis can be assembled quickly and efficiently. Chassis components are fit together then bonded with a strong structural adhesive and mechanically fastened to assure a solid foundation. Independent subframe modules carry suspension and powertrain components.
Innovative composite superstructures further increase torsional rigidity while providing mounting points for aluminum body panels.
Specially Formed Body
Panoz Auto Development was the first U.S. auto manufacturer to use Super Plastic Forming (SPF), a patented process normally used in close-tolerance aviation and aerospace industries, to form the aluminum body panels in it's A.I.V. Roadster AIV. SPF is also used to shape the Esperante's strong body panels.
Aluminum sheets are heated to just below their melting point, then drawn evenly into or around a mold under both air and vacuum pressures. The process yields a more uniform, dent-resistant panel than standard stamping techniques.
Designers worked with DZN Studios in Irvine, California to sculpt Esperante's classic lines. The coupe's long flowing nose and short chiseled deck set it apart from its contemporaries. Recessed headlight buckets lead smoothly back over arched fenders to a narrow waistline. Prominent side vents behind front wheel arches highlight the car's graceful presence. Low, muscular rear quarters flare up and out.
A unique power top will feature a rigid forward section to provide a more attractive profile and reduce interior noise while in its raised position while also providing better sealing characteristics than a conventional soft-top. A cloth headliner insulates occupants and conceals the top's intricate framework. When lowered, the top will sit neatly below the rear deck to keep the car's lines clean and keep rearward visibility clear.
Suspension
The Esperante utilizes race-inspired fully independent front and rear suspension systems. Short-long arm (SLA) arrangements with adjustable coil over shock absorbers offer exceptional handling and comfort characteristics.
Taking a cue from the successful Esperante GTR-1 racing car, the road going Esperante incorporates unique laterally opposed pushrod and rocker activated shock absorbers into its rear suspension geometry. An isolated modular subframe provides all the rear suspension components' mounting points.
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Power And Performance
Power comes from an aluminum 4.6-liter V8 with dual overhead cams and four valves per cylinder. Developed by Ford's SVT group, it produces 320 horsepower and 315 lb/ft of torque. Initial production cars will be equipped with 5-speed manual transmissions while a 5-speed sequential/automatic transmission is planned as an option for 2001.
Superb balance and handling are inherent in the Esperante's design. To help accomplish this, the engine and transmission are mounted behind the front axle line to distribute weight evenly over both axles, like the GTR-1 and A.I.V. Roadster.
Power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes with ABS provide excellent stopping power via massive 13-inch vented discs in front and 11-inch vented discs in the rear.
Leading Edge Automotive Technology
Visteon Automotive Systems is providing current production components as well as developing all new technologies for the Esperante.
One such application Visteon engineers are working on is the Autoshift Manual Transmission. This system allows the driver to operate the transmission manually by use of remote controls, or as a conventional automatic.
This same technology is being developed for the new Visteon/Panoz LMP race car and ultimately will be made available as a production application in the Esperante.
Visteon is also working with Panoz to develop unique safety and security, seating, audio, and lighting systems for use in the all-new Esperante.
Safety
Because aluminum has better energy-absorption properties than steel, it does a superior job of protecting occupants in an impact. The Esperante's generous front and rear crush zones are made of a special aluminum to help dissipate energy. Longitudinal multi-cell rails attached to the outside of chassis extrusions dissipate side-impact forces. Steel door beams also protect occupants against penetration in a side-impact collision. The fuel cell is located ahead of the rear crush zone to minimize the chance of puncture. Dual airbags and three-point seatbelts are standard.
The Esperante will be sold in the United States through an expanding network of dealers nationwide and backed by a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty.
Panoz Auto Development was founded in 1989 by Daniel Panoz and has been producing U.S. government compliant vehicles since 1992. The factory also builds training cars for the Panoz Racing School as well as the official racing cars for the Women's Global GT Championship (WGGTC) series. Panoz is based in Hoschton, Georgia near Road Atlanta, home of Panoz Motorsports.
For more information or to find the location of a dealer, call 888.GOPANOZ (467.2660). Panoz Automotive Development can be found on the Internet at http://www.panozauto.com
Power comes from an aluminum 4.6-liter V8 with dual overhead cams and four valves per cylinder. Developed by Ford's SVT group, it produces 320 horsepower and 315 lb/ft of torque. Initial production cars will be equipped with 5-speed manual transmissions while a 5-speed sequential/automatic transmission is planned as an option for 2001.
Superb balance and handling are inherent in the Esperante's design. To help accomplish this, the engine and transmission are mounted behind the front axle line to distribute weight evenly over both axles, like the GTR-1 and A.I.V. Roadster.
Power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes with ABS provide excellent stopping power via massive 13-inch vented discs in front and 11-inch vented discs in the rear.
Leading Edge Automotive Technology
Visteon Automotive Systems is providing current production components as well as developing all new technologies for the Esperante.
One such application Visteon engineers are working on is the Autoshift Manual Transmission. This system allows the driver to operate the transmission manually by use of remote controls, or as a conventional automatic.
This same technology is being developed for the new Visteon/Panoz LMP race car and ultimately will be made available as a production application in the Esperante.
Visteon is also working with Panoz to develop unique safety and security, seating, audio, and lighting systems for use in the all-new Esperante.
Safety
Because aluminum has better energy-absorption properties than steel, it does a superior job of protecting occupants in an impact. The Esperante's generous front and rear crush zones are made of a special aluminum to help dissipate energy. Longitudinal multi-cell rails attached to the outside of chassis extrusions dissipate side-impact forces. Steel door beams also protect occupants against penetration in a side-impact collision. The fuel cell is located ahead of the rear crush zone to minimize the chance of puncture. Dual airbags and three-point seatbelts are standard.
The Esperante will be sold in the United States through an expanding network of dealers nationwide and backed by a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty.
Panoz Auto Development was founded in 1989 by Daniel Panoz and has been producing U.S. government compliant vehicles since 1992. The factory also builds training cars for the Panoz Racing School as well as the official racing cars for the Women's Global GT Championship (WGGTC) series. Panoz is based in Hoschton, Georgia near Road Atlanta, home of Panoz Motorsports.
For more information or to find the location of a dealer, call 888.GOPANOZ (467.2660). Panoz Automotive Development can be found on the Internet at http://www.panozauto.com
OUCH!!!
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,441
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Originally posted by "PowerRanger92"
MSRP: $89,950
http://www.panozauto.com
Nice car but why not just get a cobra. The tech said it's the same except for the fron suspension.
MSRP: $89,950
http://www.panozauto.com
Nice car but why not just get a cobra. The tech said it's the same except for the fron suspension.
Yes, it has the same drivetrain, but that is where the similarity stops.
Fully indepentent front and rear suspension. (Yes, the cobra has an IRS, but it's a mess cobbled together to fit into the same footprint as a solid axle. Way too many design compromises).
It's also signifigantly lighter.
