Panoz cars

Panoz Abruzzi ’Spirit of Le Mans’

After two teaser images, Panoz Motor Sports have officially unveiled the Abruzzi "Spirit of Le Mans" today at the Circuit de La Sarthe. The sports car will be limited to only 81 units, corresponding to the number of Le Mans 24 Hour contests between the inception of the race in 1923 and the race to be held in 2013. The Abruzzi will be road-legal in Europe and in many countries in Asia, the Middle East, and South America.

The Abruzzi "Spirit of Le Mans" is a front-engine, rear-transaxle and rear-radiator super sports car powered by a 600-plus HP engine. The Abruzzi ’Spirit of Le Mans’ is the first car ever to feature the implementation of the R.E.A.M.S. - Recyclable Energy Absorbing Matrix System - body system that offers environmental, performance, and structural advantages like no other automobile body system on the planet. This construction is lighter than carbon fiber yet equally strong. It will also feature a new three-stage "TRIFECTA COOLING" technology that improves both engine performance and efficiency. This "Trifecta" is an innovative development that improves both engine performance and efficiency. In addition to a typical high-efficiency radiator, there are stage two and stage three cooling systems that lower coolant temperature on both the inflow to and the outflow from the radiator.

Albeit a little oddly shaped, the Panoz Abruzzi is definitely built to do what it is supposed to do; provide the driver with an amazing racing experience. The front of the vehicle sits wide and then closes in at the sides providing a unique design and aerodynamic shape to help with the downforce of the vehicle and allow it to grab onto the road that much better. This is a vehicle that was built with a purpose and that purpose was not to be the most attractive vehicle out there, but the most functional.

Check out the video of Don Panoz as he introduces the Abruzzi "Spirit of Le Mans" after the jump. The press release can be seen after the jump as well..

Panoz Abruzzi "Spirit of Le Mans" teased again

Panoz Auto Development has revealed a new teaser image of the Abruzzi "Spirit of Le Mans" supercar that will debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans auto race. The car will be revealed to the press on June 8, 2010.

"The anticipation of the public in seeing the Abruzzi ’Spirit of Le Mans’ is only slightly behind my own," Panoz said. "I can guarantee that there has never been such a unique ownership and delivery program around such a spectacular automobile. It quite appropriately captures my dream and my experience of Le Mans – an event that is among the most meaningful of my life."

As a reminder, the Abruzzi "Spirit of Le Mans" supercar will feature new technologies that will make the Abruzzi stand apart from others. Its body will be made from a Recyclable Energy Absorbing Matrix System (REAMS) which provides many environmental, performance, and structural advantages. It will also feature a new three-stage "TRIFECTA COOLING" technology that improves both engine performance and efficiency.

We’ve been hearing about this debut for months now and we would just like to see the car in its entirety. We have to say, we are a little disappointed with this teaser image. They could have given all of us a little more, especially since the debut is only a few days away.

Press release after the jump.

Panoz Abruzzi will make its Debut at the 24 hours of LeMans

Having been founded in 1989, Panoz has not been around very long in terms of carmaker years. That being said, it comes as no surprise that the number of cars they have debuted is limited with the Esperante being at the top of the Panoz model list. Recently, we received news that the list will become 1 model longer as the Panoz Abruzzi surfaces.

Don Panoz, father of Panoz Auto’s founder Dan Panoz, announced during the 12 hours of Sebring broadcast that the Panoz Abruzzi would debut at the 24 hours of LeMans in June. Little is known as to the specifications of their newest model, but the above rendering was reportedly produced by a former employee of Panoz whose job was designing and building the GTLM bumpers as well as other design projects.

If the rendering above was the sketch for the new Abruzzi model we hope that additional modifications have been made since then. The Esperante is a very nice looking sportscar, but it has its own model and the Abruzzi should have its own identity as opposed to looking like a curvier version of the Esperante as shown in the photo. Additional modifications are likely considering Panoz will be introducing a newer version of the Esperante following the Abruzzi debut.

As if their plate isn’t already getting full, Dan Panoz also said that he is hoping the GT2 racing variation will be unveiled at the Petit LeMans. We’ll keep you updated on all Panoz debuts as they occur.

Panoz Exposition

1997 Panoz Lmp Spyder

American muscle with a flare for the exotic! This 600 bhp front/mid-engine (engine is located behind the front axel) racer was released onto the race circuits of the world in 1997 at the famous Sebring 12hr venue. Powered by a Roush-prepared Ford V8 that creamed down the straightaway, this car was a fan favorite. Dubbed the “Batmobile” while racing in Europe, this car followed the trend in GT racing for fron-engined cars such as the Marcos and Dodge Viper GTS-R”.

2003 Panoz Esperante Gt Lm

From its successful introduction on the American Le Mans Series earlier this year, the Panoz Esperante GT-LM race car is on the threshold of making its presence felt on racing circuits in both America and Europe as its builder launches a new customer car program.

2006 Panoz Esperante Gts

The Panoz GTS features a unique body comprised of fifteen thermoformed panels, making it more durable, less expensive and easier to replace than fiberglass. Also, all Panoz GTS spec racers feature an eight-point integrated roll cage with triple tube side-protection and working doors on both sides of the vehicle.

2003 Esperante

It’s not often that a new car company makes its way into Canada, however in the last few years, we have seen Kia and more recently Mitsubishi make their way into our shores, hoping to end up on our driveways.