Captured: Panoz Esperante GTLM

Panoz, based in Hoschton, Georgia, created the Esperante GTS in 1999 to compete in SCCA events. Then in 2001 the Esperante sports car was introduced to the American public. Since then Panoz has made several versions of the Esperante both for road and racing. The Panoz Esperante GTLM is a high-end touring model, with roots in racing, featuring true American muscle car power and attitude.

 

The GTLM uses a supercharged, 4.6-liter Ford SVT V-8 engine to produce its 420 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque, all in a package that weighs 3384 pounds. It features a Tremec T56 six-speed transmission and a limited slip differential. It does 0-62 miles per hour in 4.2 seconds, and has a top speed of 180 miles per hour.

 

 

For a car made in America, the Panoz Esperante, and the GTLM in particular, feels extremely exotic. We love the look of the long nose, and the way the headlights emerge from the front of the car. Its long, flowy lines suggest a certain slipperiness as the car cuts through the wind.

 

 

Panoz raced a modified version GTLM with a 5.0-liter Ford V-8 in the American Le Means Series GT Class. One of these cars even took first place (GT2 Class) in the 2006 12 Hours of Sebring Race. You can see (and hear) video of that car in action, right here.