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World Launch of Production Panoz Esperante Set For New York Auto Show

10 February 2000

World Launch of Production Panoz Esperante Set For New York International Auto Show

    HOSCHTON, Ga., Feb. 9 -- On the heels of signing Mario
Andretti to drive at Le Mans, America's only true independent manufacturer of
handcrafted high performance production automobiles will unveil and officially
launch the production Esperante luxury sport convertible at the New York
International Auto Show this April.
    Until now only an early prototype of the 320-horsepower, aluminum-
intensive alternative to the BMW Z8 and DeTomaso Mangusta has been seen and is
currently on display at the Chicago Auto Show.  Since it was shown for the
first time in 1999 the two-place Esperante has undergone aggressive interior
and exterior styling changes as well as improvements to its modular extruded
aluminum chassis and lightweight aluminum body panels.
    Panoz Auto Development's second aluminum-intensive automobile in less than
four years, the Esperante's voluptuous lines are deliberately reminiscent of
immortal sports cars from the fifties and sixties.  Hints of Aston Martin DB5,
Ferrari 250GT and Jaguar XKE can be seen throughout yet the Esperante retains
a fresh look all its own.
    With four years of research and development behind it, as well as an
intensive motorsports program, the Esperante uses materials and modular build
technologies the automotive industry as a whole is only now experimenting
with.  Structural adhesives secure the chassis, aluminum body panels are
formed using a process developed for the aviation industry, and a modular
chassis design allows for efficient assembly and quick repair.
    More than 115 customer deposits have already been taken and the national
network of 33 Panoz dealers are confident many more will be put down before
April.
    Panoz can be found on the internet at http://www.panozauto.com