Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. News

Panoz’s electric race car concept might be coming to a track near you

By

Green4U Panoz Racing GT-EV
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Alternative powertrains are slowly but surely making their way into racing. The Formula E electric-car race series is in its third season, and hybrids race in Formula One and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. But a small U.S. firm wants to pick up the pace.

Georgia-based Panoz is known primarily for the Esperante sports car and for the bizarre DeltaWing, development of which led to a legal spat with Nissan. Panoz has apparently put the DeltaWing business behind it, and is instead focusing on an electric race car that may even spawn a road-going sports car.

Recommended Videos

Along with its sibling company Green4U Technologies, Panoz unveiled the GT-EV concept in Le Mans, France, this week, ahead of the big 24-hour race. The all-electric race car is just an idea right now, but Panoz hopes to eventually put it on the track.

Related

“Our goal is to run our car in a race, perhaps even applying for a future Garage 56 slot,” founder Don Panoz said in a press release. Garage 56 is the slot on the Le Mans grid reserved for experimental cars. Previous entries include the DeltaWing and Nissan’s ZEOD RC hybrid.

The GT-EV concept is based around a carbon fiber chassis with an unusual off-center cockpit design, which places the driver on one side and the battery pack on the other. That pack is designed to be swapped out during pit stops, addressing the issue of range. Panoz expects the car to be able to cover 90 to 110 miles in race conditions, but that’s not enough to finish a race on one charge.

An electric motor at each axle gives the GT-EV all-wheel drive. Panoz is aiming for a total output of 400 to 450 kilowatts (536 to 603 horsepower), and a curb weight of 2,200 to 2,750 pounds. That should allow a top speed of 175 to 180 mph, according to Panoz. The company is also considering building a road-going version although, with its single-seat cockpit, that might be a tough sell.

Just getting an electric race car on the track will be difficult enough, let alone making it a winner. Panoz will have to work with racing sanctioning bodies to get its car approved. While the company has plenty of racing experience, competing in today’s big-budget environment has also become more difficult for small firms. Add to that the challenges of adapting a relatively new technology to the demands of racing, and Panoz has quite a challenge on its hands.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Stephen Edelstein
Stephen Edelstein
Contributing Editor
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Hyundai is flying Veloster N owners to the Nürburgring to watch its cars race
Hyundai N Nürburgring

Imagine buying a car and getting to take a trip to one of the world's greatest racetracks on the automaker's dime. Hyundai is flying 300 owners and fans of its N performance vehicles to Germany's Nürburgring for the annual 24-hour race to cheer on its team, tour the circuit in a helicopter, and compete for the chance to drive a lap of the track.

Hyundai only has two N vehicles in its lineup at the moment: The i30 N and the Veloster N, and only the latter is sold in the United States. So it's important for the Korean automaker to cultivate a loyal fan base for N, which is still relatively new. Hyundai reached out directly to fans via Veloster N owner lists and social media channels. If you're still waiting on an invite, don't bother -- all slots have been filled. Maybe next year.

Read more
Ford says au revoir to the 24 Hours of Le Mans with retro GT liveries
Ford GT 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans retro liveries

Every great story has to come to an end eventually. Ford's class win at the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans with its GT supercar was worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster, but Ford is now ready to retire from the legendary French race. The 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans will be the last for the GT, the automaker confirmed.

The Ford GT was developed with one goal: To win the GTE Pro class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on the 50th anniversary of Ford's 1966 overall victory over Ferrari -- one of the greatest upsets in racing history. Taking some inspiration from the car that won those races, the GT40, but featuring thoroughly modern aerodynamics, lightweight construction, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 engine, the GT won Le Mans on its first attempt in 2016. GTE Pro is the top Le Mans class for cars based on road-legal models, so Ford went on to build GTs for customers boasting 647 horsepower and prices well into the six-figure range.

Read more
The 10 best car battery brands in 2024
How to test a car battery

You must know this, but your car needs a battery to run properly. A dead battery means a car won't start, but various electronics in the car won't work properly either, including overhead dome lights, the radio, and even some security features, like door locks or alerts. So, it's in your best interest to ensure your vehicle's battery is in tip-top shape at all times. It's especially important if your car or vehicle sits unused for long periods. A trickle charger can help keep the battery powered in those situations, or worst case, a portable jump starter can help you get it going. But eventually, you're going to need to replace your battery, and it will help to know the best car battery brands out there so you know precisely what to replace your old one with. Let's discuss.
AC Delco
In operation for more than a century, AC Delco has been recommended as "the only batteries" for GM vehicles. You'll find them at retailers like AutoZone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, Amazon, and even some Walmarts. They're reliable, reasonably priced, and come with a good warranty, 18 months or above, depending on where you buy. A great AC Delco battery to call out is the Advantage series.

Bosch
Bosch is a solid mid-grade battery provider both in quality and price. They do have some affordable options, but their premium lines are still reasonably priced, with several tiers available for a wide variety of vehicles. The downside is that Bosch batteries are not carried by all retailers like some of the other options on our list, but you can find them online. You can also visit a Bosch service center if there's one near you. Callouts are the S4 to S6 series and the T4 to T6 series. We will say the brand's four-year free replacement warranty is unmatched.

Read more