Delivered to whom? Most likely, to wealthy, influential buyers who will be given a driving course instructional on the Le Mans’ Bugatti circuit and invited to the next Le Mans as a Panoz/Automobile Club de l'Ouest VIP. They will have the opportunity to driver their new toy on the full Le Mans circuit, although not in the real race, of course. The Abruzzi is more a flashy aluminum symbol than a real flesh-and-blood street supercar – owners would probably not risk their limited edition vehicles in the perilous Le Mans competition.
Hand-built by Panoz, the Abruzzi is a startling and shocking vehicle, looking more like an extreme HotWheel™ concept than an actual drivable vehicle. Its aerodynamic aluminum body is pitted with a deep cuts in the front fascia for cooling vents; the body rises over high front fenders and a louvered hood and shoots backwards past a tiny 2-seater cabin to a steeply sloped rear fascia with batman-like vertical wings. As current designs stand, the Abruzzi is road-legal in Europe, the U.S., and parts of South America, the Middle East and Asia.
The originality outside is matched by the power inside. The Abruzzi uses a front-mounted engine that boasts minimum 600-hp and 590 lb-feet of torque. Panoz engineering gives the supercar powerful rear-wheel drive, a full plate of downforce and an unbelievable traction, putting its gargantuan torque to good use.
The Abruzzi’s revolutionary technology shines forth in its construction. Using R.E.A.M.S.® “Recyclable Energy Absorbing Matrix System,” the Abruzzi offers structural safety and advantages like no other auto system. The composite system is lighter than carbon fiber but just as strong, and is also dent-resistant, shatter-proof and recyclable.
New has met old. Some like it, some hate it, but all agree: the Abruzzi is a car unto itself.
The future looks good.
