2015 PANOZ ESPERANTE GTR-1

The 2015 Panoz Esperante GTR-1 represents a modern reinterpretation of the iconic late-1990s race car, bringing the legendary design and performance into the 21st century. This version was created as a limited edition, intended to celebrate Panoz’s heritage in motorsports while incorporating contemporary technology and materials. The original street-legal 1997 Esperante GTR-1 Le Mans Homologation Special on display for the first time following an extensive restoration by Panoz craftsmen

Nov. 9, 2015, Atlanta – The Panoz Esperante GTR-1 thundered its way into race fans’ memories with its cacophonous V8 roar and blistering pace on the world’s sports car endurance racing circuits. Today an important part of the GTR-1’s history returns – the original street-legal 1997 Panoz Esperante GTR-1 Le Mans Homologation Special that was created so the iconic front-engine Esperante GTR-1 race car could compete in the 1997 24 Hours of Le Mans and other endurance racing events.

Panoz completed the Esperante GTR-1 Le Mans Homologation Special’s six-month restoration at its headquarters in Braselton, Ga. in October. This only remaining Esperante GTR-1 Le Mans Homologation Special is the brand’s featured exhibit at the Dubai International Motor Show. Panoz fans can see it November 10-14 in Booth No. Z277, Hall ZAB2 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

When entrepreneur Don Panoz commissioned racecar designer Adrian Reynard to create the Esperante GTR-1 for his newly founded Panoz Motor Sport Group, it was the first front-engine prototype race car in more than 30 years of motorsports. Rules required homologation – building street-legal versions – in order to compete.

The Panoz Esperante GTR-1 with its 6.0-liter Ford-based V8 engine competed in international endurance racing in various forms from 1997 to 2003. And one version, the 1998 Panoz Q9 GTR-1 Hybrid – affectionately known as Sparky – was the first successful modern hybrid race car. In all, the Panoz Esperante GTR-1 scored 20 podium finishes with five overall wins and nine class victories.

While based on the very successful GTR-1 race car and constructed very similarly to its racing siblings, this Esperante GTR-1 Le Mans Homologation Special sports a full leather interior, is street legal, and is driven locally on occasion.

Here are its basic specifications as currently configured:

600-plus horsepower, 500 lb ft of torque (estimate)
ZF six-speed transaxle
1,980 lbs (898 kg)
175 inches long / 78 inches wide (444.5 cm / 198 cm)
Brembo front discs, eight-piston, four-pad calipers
Brembo rear discs, four-piston, four-pad calipers
285/40-R18 tires on 18 x 10.5-inch OZ Racing center-lock wheels

Key Features and Performance:

Engine: The 2015 Esperante GTR-1 is powered by a front-mounted, naturally aspirated V8 engine, reminiscent of the original GTR-1. This engine is capable of producing around 600 to 640 horsepower, maintaining the raw power that made the original so competitive. The specific engine details may vary, but it is likely based on a high-performance Ford V8 platform, much like the original.
Transmission: The car features a 6-speed sequential manual transmission, allowing for rapid and precise gear changes. This transmission setup is ideal for high-performance driving, whether on the track or an open road.
Chassis and Body: The 2015 version retains the carbon fiber monocoque chassis of the original, ensuring that the car remains lightweight yet incredibly strong. The bodywork is also crafted from carbon fiber, with aerodynamics refined to improve downforce and stability at high speeds while paying homage to the original design.
Weight: Like its predecessor, the 2015 GTR-1 is designed to be as light as possible, with a target weight around 900 kg (approximately 1984 lbs). This lightweight design is critical to its agility and performance.
Performance:
- Top Speed: The modern GTR-1 can achieve top speeds well over 200 mph (322 km/h), making it one of the fastest cars of its era.
- Acceleration: The car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 3.5 seconds, thanks to its powerful engine and lightweight construction.
- Handling: The front-engine layout, combined with advanced suspension and aerodynamic enhancements, provides exceptional handling characteristics, offering a driving experience that is both thrilling and precise.
Design: While the 2015 model stays true to the original’s iconic design, it includes modern touches such as updated lighting, refined aerodynamics, and a more contemporary interior. The car’s aggressive stance and long, sleek body are instantly recognizable, yet updated to meet modern standards.
Interior: The interior of the 2015 Esperante GTR-1 is more refined than the original, offering a blend of luxury and functionality. High-quality materials such as leather, Alcantara, and carbon fiber are used throughout, providing a more comfortable environment without compromising the car’s racing pedigree. The cabin is designed to keep the driver focused, with a minimalist approach to controls and instrumentation.
Production: The 2015 Panoz Esperante GTR-1 was produced in extremely limited numbers, making it a rare and collectible vehicle. Each car is hand-built to the highest standards, with customization options available to suit the preferences of discerning buyers.

Want your very own Esperante GTR-1? We can do that.
It would take a lot of persuasion for Panoz to part with the Esperante GTR-1 Le Mans Homologation Special. But Panoz can fulfill the dreams of those who wish to own a street-legal Esperante GTR-1. Using the original body and tub molds, Panoz can create either a near-exact carbon fiber replica or a modified version using alternate composites and lightweight technologies. Pricing starts at $890,000 and is dependent on the customer’s personalization requirements. Panoz prides itself on its “Extreme Personalization” program that lets owners create the car of their dreams.

Joining the one-of-a-kind GTR-1 in Dubai is the ultra-exclusive 25th Anniversary Edition Panoz Esperante Spyder GT, the company‘s supercharged 560-horsepower, two-passenger aluminum-intensive sports car. It is the more powerful, wide-body sibling of the Esperante Spyder. No more than 25 Esperante Spyder and Spyder GT sports cars will be produced, ensuring these hand-built, American-made sports cars remain special and exclusive.

Recognizing that Panoz owners expect the thrills of a manual gearbox, the Spyder GT’s powerful V8 engine is mated to a heavy duty, close-ratio Tremec® T56 Magnum six-speed manual transmission as standard equipment.

The Spyder GT features the car’s namesake Spyder open-cockpit configuration with its visually dynamic carbon fiber panel that conceals the functional twin roll hoops, and an all-new, low-slung carbon fiber windshield frame with tubular steel reinforced A-pillars. It sits on a strong and light aluminum chassis and wears the proven and lightweight SPF (Superplastic Forming, commonly referred to as ‘super formed’) aluminum and composite body revolutionized on previous Esperante models, but in a wide-body configuration.

Panoz was the first U.S. auto manufacturer to use super formed aluminum panels, a process that has since been used by some of the world’s most elite vehicle manufacturers, and it was the first in America to create an Aluminum Intensive Vehicle (AIV) when it built the Panoz AIV Roadster.

Other Esperante Spyder GT upgrades include exterior styling reminiscent of the Le Mans-winning Panoz Esperante GTLM race car; side exhausts like the Panoz Esperante GT2 race car; carbon fiber front splitter, rear diffuser, side skirts and exterior trim; 19 x 10.5-inch and 19 x 12-inch front and rear wheels; and Brembo® brakes on all four corners.

The Esperante Spyder and Spyder GT are available for order, and Panoz also continues to offer the Esperante as both a coupe and a convertible in both standard and GT configurations. Pricing remains:

Esperante Spyder, Coupe, or Convertible: $179,120
Esperante Spyder GT, Coupe GT, or Convertible GT: $204,750

THE RACE CAR

The Panoz Esperante GTR-1 is an iconic race car that debuted in the late 1990s, making a significant impact on the world of endurance racing. While the car was primarily designed for competition, its performance characteristics are legendary and have cemented its place in motorsport history.

Key Performance Features:

Engine: The Esperante GTR-1 was powered by a front-mounted 6.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine, which was a departure from the mid-engine layouts common in other GT1 class competitors at the time. The engine, based on Ford’s powerplant, produced around 600 to 640 horsepower, depending on the specific configuration and race requirements.
Transmission: The car utilized a 6-speed sequential gearbox, providing rapid gear shifts essential for racing conditions. The transmission was designed to handle the high torque output and deliver power efficiently to the rear wheels.
Chassis and Aerodynamics: The GTR-1 featured a carbon fiber monocoque chassis, which provided exceptional strength and rigidity while keeping the weight to a minimum. The car’s aerodynamics were optimized with a long, low-slung body, a prominent rear wing, and various air ducts and diffusers to ensure high downforce and stability at speed.
Weight: The GTR-1 was incredibly light for its class, weighing around 900 kg (approximately 1984 lbs), which contributed to its agility and responsiveness on the track.
Performance:
- Top Speed: The Esperante GTR-1 could reach speeds upwards of 200 mph (322 km/h) on long straights, particularly on tracks like the Mulsanne Straight at Le Mans.
- Acceleration: The car’s acceleration was blistering, capable of sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in under 3.5 seconds, thanks to its powerful V8 engine and lightweight construction.
- Handling: The GTR-1’s handling was one of its standout features, with a well-balanced chassis and advanced suspension setup that allowed it to compete with the best in the GT1 class. Its front-engine layout provided a unique handling characteristic compared to its mid-engine competitors.
Racing Success: The Esperante GTR-1 competed in various endurance racing events, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it became famous for its distinctive design and the challenge it posed to established competitors like Porsche and McLaren. Though it didn’t achieve the same level of success as some of its rivals, it left a lasting impression due to its bold engineering and competitive spirit.

Legacy:

The Panoz Esperante GTR-1 is celebrated for its innovative design and performance in an era dominated by more conventional mid-engine racers. It remains a symbol of Panoz’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of sports car design and performance, with a racing pedigree that continues to inspire automotive enthusiasts and collectors.