Panoz Esperante

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Panoz Esperante
Overview
Manufacturer Panoz Auto Development
Production 2000–present
Assembly Braselton, Georgia 30548, United States
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)
Chronology
Predecessor Panoz AIV Roadster
Successor Panoz Abruzzi

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

There are several models of the Esperante: the base model, the GT, the GTLM, the GTS, and the JRD (an aftermarket upgrade brand similar to Roush Mustangs). Each model has different specifications. The GTLM, for example, uses a supercharger to boost power from 305 hp (227 kW) to 420 hp (310 kW), raising performance from 0-62 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 ~ 600 lb (270 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 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's engines are sourced from The Ford Motor Company's Modular V8 family.

Racing

PTG's Panoz Esperante GT-LM at the 2007 Generac 500.

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.

Specification

Body and chassis

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

Engine and drivetrain

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 (2,600 lb)

Performance

  • 0-62 mph (0–100 km/h): 4.9 sec (Esperante GT)
  • 0-62 mph (0–100 km/h): 5.1 sec (Esperante)
  • Quarter Mile: 13.4 sec. @ 107.3 mph (Esperante GT)
  • Quarter Mile: 13.7 sec. @ 103.5 mph (Esperante)
  • Lateral Acceleration: 0.96 g (Esperante GT)
  • Lateral Acceleration: 0.92 g (Esperante)
  • Top Speed: 155.4 mph (250 km/h) with manual transmission
  • Top Speed: 150.4 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 ventiled 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

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)

Esperante GTLM (Team PTG)

During the 2007 American Le Mans season the Panoz Esperante 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

Technical Specifications

  • Chassis: Modular extruded carbon, unibody space frame, bolted and bonded to steel subframes must be IMSA/FIA approved safety cage
  • Engine: Ford badged as Élan Motorsport Technologies
  • Engine configuration: V8 engine, 90° cylinder angle
  • Engine type: Naturally aspirated, 32-valve
  • Engine displacement: 5,000 cc (5.0 L; 305.1 cu in)
  • Bore: 94 mm (4 in)
  • Stroke: 90 mm (4 in)
  • Valvetrain: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
  • Power: 476 hp (355 kW) @ 5500 rpm
  • Torque: Over 476 ft·lbf (645 N·m) @ 5500 rpm
  • Exhaust: Stainless tubular headers, with side exit
  • Spark plugs: Bosch
  • ECU: Hella
  • Ignition: Élan Motorsport Technologies CDI
  • Gearbox: Hewland IGTC 6-speed Manual transmission sequentially
  • Differential: Xtrac Salisbury
  • Bodywork: Carbon composite
  • Wheels: BBS aluminum wheels
    • Front wheel: 12.5 x 18 in
    • Rear wheel: 13 x 18 in
  • Tires: Yokohama Advan radial dry slick and rain treaded tires
    • Front tire: 320/650 - R18
    • Rear tire: 330/710 - R18
  • Shock absorber: JRZ
  • Springs: Eibach
  • Suspensions: Front and rear double A-Arm with coil springs, adjustable anti-roll bar
  • Driving: Rear-wheel-drive
  • Fuel: Ethanol E10
  • Injector: Sequential electronic
  • Bellhousing: Cast magnesium bellhousing
  • Fuel capacity: 26.4 US gal (100 L)
  • Steering: Race spec power-assisted rack and pinion
  • Brakes (front and rear): Performance Friction Brakes ventilated disc, 4-piston calliper
  • Oiling: Dry sump
  • Headlights: Hella 15 volts
  • Length: 4,722 mm (186 in)
  • Width: 1,973 mm (78 in)
  • Height: 1,356 mm (53 in)
  • Wheelbase: 2,692 mm (106 in)
  • Front track: 1,600 mm (63 in)
  • Rear track: 1,613 mm (64 in)
  • Minimum weight: 1,110 kg (2,447 lb) without driver and fuel; 1,245 kg (2,745 lb) with driver and fuel
  • Racing seats: Sparco
  • Steering wheel: Sparco
  • Safety equipment: Sparco 6-point seat belt, rear view mirror, HANS device, helmet, headsock, race suit, NOMEX firesuit, racing gloves, racing socks, racing boots

External links

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