The 2015 Panoz 25th Anniversary Edition Esperante Spyder and Spyder GT mark a new chapter in the Panoz history where all-new performance features and luxury amenities thrust this hallmark of Panoz sports car design far forward while remaining true to its Esperante styling roots. “When it came to painting a new interpretation of the Esperante, it was very important to not abandon our origins and recognize that an Esperante must look like an Esperante,” said Panoz LLC President and COO Bill Orr. “At the same time, we knew we needed to deliver the performance and features that Panoz sports car aficionados and fans of performance expect in the 21st century.”
According to Panoz LLC’s Director of Product Planning/Engineering John M. Leverett, the development team retained important and proven lightweight measures such as using SPF (Superplastic Forming) aluminum body panels and Panoz LLC’s patented modular extruded aluminum chassis with a light-but-strong carbon fiber superstructure. But nearly everything else – from engine and transmission packages and suspension and brake systems to the luxurious interior and functional carbon fiber cockpit structures – is all new or significantly upgraded. “This is not yesteryear’s Esperante,” said Leverett.
A hallmark of the Panoz LLC approach is its one-on-one “Extreme Personalization” process with the customer and the Panoz designer driving the results to create the customer’s dream car while nurturing a true personal relationship. Panoz LLC expects to produce about 25 examples of the 25th Anniversary Edition Esperante Spyder and Spyder GT to commemorate the anniversary milestone. Production will be intentionally limited to a handful of custom builds for select customers, keeping with Panoz LLC’s goal of creating America’s most exclusive custom sports car. The Esperante Spyder takes just 3.7 seconds (estimated) to reach 60 mph (3.9 seconds [estimated] to 62 mph or 100 km/h) on its way to a top test track speed of 172 mph. It can cover the quarter mile in 12.5 seconds/112 mph. On the braking side of the spectrum, the Esperante Spyder goes from 60 mph to zero in just 112 feet. The performance specifications for the Esperante Spyder GT are not yet available.
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