Panoz Abruzzi 'Spirit of Le Mans'

After the initial teaser image of the Panoz Abruzzi - which was published at the start of May 2010, Panoz has unleashed three more pictures which the reveal the car in greater detail, and from all angles, except inside and under the hood. 

 Panoz have yet to reveal the full details of the drivetrain, and so far the only facts are a 600 hp power output and a torque figure of 590 ft-lbs (800Nm). As you'd expect from such a car, all the power is sent to the rear wheels.

While Panoz have kept quiet about the Abruzzi's exact power source, they've previously relied on Ford-sourced engines for their other models. So there's a good chance they'll return to Ford for their latest model, especially as the Abruzzi just looks a bit like a tarted up and revised Panoz Esperante. Despite the swoops, curves and classic proportions, the Abruzzi has ended up looking a bit weird. It's different, I'll give it that, but its no beauty queen.

The rear wheel arches start off with a graceful arc which somehow turns into a sharp point that give the car the appearance of having a weighty and drooping rear overhang. And up front the double-decker spoiler is pretty cool looking, but at the same time it looks a bit amateurish.

There's no faulting the high-tech construction however, and all the Abruzzi's body panels are formed from lightweight carbon fiber. 81 Abruzzi's are scheduled to be built. The number corresponds to the number of Le Mans 24 Hour races which have been held since the first race in 1923. The Panoz Abruzzi has been approved for roads in Europe, the Middle East, South America and certain countries in Asia. Surprisingly North America, the company's home, is left out.