2005 Panoz Esperante

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2005 Panoz Esperante Test Drive
Handmade in America


Panoz is among the most exclusive American sports car manufacturers, making its Esperante a solid alternative to high-clout exotic sports cars from overseas.

Originally published 06/29/2005
by Jim Gorzelany



This review applies to all model-years in the current generation of the Panoz Esperante, which launched in April 2001 as a 2001 model.

Panoz is a small suburban Atlanta sports and racecar builder that caters to a select clientele of wealthy automotive enthusiasts for whom exclusivity and performance matter above all else. If you doubt Panoz's commitment to this niche, consider that just last year it added a cup holder to its slinky hand-built cars for the first time. Meanwhile, its competition division, Panoz Motor Sports, has enjoyed success in such racing series as FIA, GT, Trans Am and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Panoz was founded in 1989 and put out its first car, the Roadster, a year later. Work on its current model, the Esperante, began in 1997, and it was launched in 2001. The rear-wheel-drive Esperante was designed to have the power and agility of an exotic sports car, but be practical and comfortable enough to be driven daily. A higher-performance GT version was subsequently added to the line, and a convertible GTLM model with a more powerful engine and more aggressive bumpers and side skirts was launched in 2004. A Trans Am racing version of the Esperante is also available.

Esperantes have flowing lines with a classic long hood and short rear deck. Aluminum body panels fit a modular aluminum chassis, with a hand-assembled Ford engine under the hood.
A flock of improvements were made for 2005, many in the name of more responsive handling and improved low-end power.

A new rear sub-frame, introduced last year on the GTLM, is now included on all Esperante versions. The company says it reduces mass while increasing stiffness and features racing-inspired suspension geometry. This translates into improved performance and less noise, vibration and harshness. The car rides on a fully independent double-wishbone suspension with gas-charged aluminum coil-over Dynamic Dampers and a one-inch tubular anti-roll bar.
For 2005, Panoz has tuned the all-aluminum 4.6-liter V8 engine in standard and GT versions to generate added torque at lower engine speeds (rpm). The motor now boasts 305 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 320 pound-feet of torque at 4,250 rpm. The GT and standard Esperante can be outfitted with either a Tremec five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. All of this hardware propels the Esperante to 62 mph in 5.1 seconds.

The GTLM (pictured at right) continues with its 420 hp, supercharged V8 mated to a six-speed manual gearbox revised to maximize low-end muscle. Panoz says this model can hit 62 mph in just 4.2 seconds and gallop through a quarter mile in a scant 12.8 seconds at 109.4 mph.
This year, the GTLM can be ordered with polished or painted 18-inch wheels, while the GT and standard Esperante can now be fitted with two additional wheel designs in 17- and 18-inch sizes, each with upgraded tires. (See the 2005 Panoz Esperante photo gallery for a close-up.)

Also new for 2005 are wood, carbon-fiber or billet interior accent packages, as well as two new hues for the standard leather upholstery. Recaro power seats are now standard on GT and GTLM models and optional on the base Esperante ($990). They offer enhanced lumbar and side support and include seat heaters. Custom two-toned leather trim and stitching is available across the line, and two new sound systems from Blaupunkt are also offered.

Three new exterior colors were added to the Panoz palate for 2005, including Monterey Blue, Azure Blue Metallic and Titanium Metallic. Dark brown and blue convertible tops are newly optional on the GTLM.


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