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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). Additionally, Panoz is more than
willing to work with the buyer to make special modifications
to any of the stock models. Each model has slightly different
stats. The Specs below are for the base model. The GTLM, for
example, uses a supercharger to boost power from 305 hp to 420
hp, raising performance from 0-62 in 5 seconds to an amazing
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 lighter than the
base Esperante, has a steel 5.8 liter V8 racing engine that
produces 385 bhp, and is made of easily replacable panels to
facilitate small impact race repair. It does 0-60 in 4.2 seconds,
and can achieve 0.98 g of lateral grip.
Racing
An
Esperante managed to win the GT2 class at the 2006 24 Hours
of Le Mans, which is usually dominated by Porsche 911 GT3. The
best of the 911s led until the final hour but ran into trouble,
finishing one lap behind the Panoz, with a Ferrari F430 ten
laps down. Other competitors in that class were two Spyker C8s
which showed promising performance, but did not finish, like
the second Panoz which managed only 34 laps. Anyway, this success
is a remarkable one for the road-going version of Panoz.
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/Drivetrain
Engine:
Hand assembled DOHC, 32-valve, 90-degree, aluminum V8
Displacement: 4,601 cm³
Power: 320 hp (239 kW) @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 315 ft·lbf (427 N·m) @ 4,750 rpm
Compression Ratio: 9.8:1
Bore by stroke: 3.55 by 3.54 in (90.2 by 90.0 mm)
Fuel injection: Sequential electronic
Ignition: Distributorless, coil-on-plug
Transmission: Tremec T45 5-speed manual
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
Suspension
Front:
Fully independent short-long arm (SLA) double wishbone configuration
with gas charged Penske 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)
Tires: BF Goodrich P255/45ZR17
Brakes
Type:
Four-wheel power assisted disc
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 mm)
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 mm)
Overall Height: 53.4 in (1,355.9 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) |
