Panoz Avezzano
| Panoz Avezzano | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Panoz, LLC |
| Production | 2017 |
| Assembly | Braselton, Georgia, United States |
| Body and chassis | |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Panoz Esperante |
The Panoz Avezzano is an American front-engine, rear-drive, V8-powered sports car manufactured in Georgia by Panoz, LLC. Intended for sale both as a road car and as a homologated racing vehicle, the racing-configured Avezzano GT4 was first entered in competition in 2017 in the Pirelli World Challenge, while the street version of the automobile was first offered for sale during the summer of 2017.
History
The Panoz Avezzano is named after the city of Avezzano in Italy, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1915, the destruction spurring the emigration of Don Panoz's grandfather to America.[1] Developed from the preceding Panoz Esperante,[2] the Avezzano was unveiled at the 2016 Petit Le Mans, and appeared at the first annual Atlanta Concours d'Elegance.[3] Using largely aluminium construction, the Avezzano is configured with a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, with a Chevrolet V8 engine providing power through a manual transmission.[4]
The Avezzano's GT4 racing version was the first model of the car to be introduced, being used by Team Panoz Racing in the Pirelli World Challenge for the 2017 racing season.[5] Ian James scored the first victory for the Avezzano in the World Challenge at Road America in June;[6] James would accumulate a total of six wins in the Avezzano over the course of the season, and the team would shift from the GTS class to GT4 for 2018 following homologation as a production vehicle.[7]
The street version of the Avezzano entered production in early 2017, with sales beginning in the summer of that year.[8]
References
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (17 November 2017). "Panoz's Race Car Got Its Name Because of an Earthquake that Killed 30,000 People". Road & Track. Retrieved 2017-12-03.
- ^ Pruett, Marshall (30 September 2016). "IMSA: Panoz to evaluate new GT model". Racer. Retrieved 2017-12-03.
- ^ "Georgia-Based Panoz Looks to Return to GT Racing". Valdosta Today. Valdosta, GA. 15 November 2016. Retrieved 2017-12-03.
- ^ "Panoz Avezzano GTS completes first test". Racer. 7 March 2017. Retrieved 2017-12-03.
- ^ Alaniz, Anthony (16 June 2017). "What's a Panoz? More than just an electric race car". Autoweek. Retrieved 2017-12-03.
- ^ Bradley, Charles (24 June 2017). "Road America PWC: James scores maiden GTS win for Panoz". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 2017-12-03.
- ^ "Calvert Joins Panoz in Expanded Two-Car Avezzano GT4 Program". Sportscar365.com. 16 November 2017. Retrieved 2017-12-03.
- ^ "Panoz Avezzano Set For World Challenge". Speed Sport. 13 January 2017. Retrieved 2017-12-03.