1998 Panoz Esperante GTR-1 Q9 “Sparky”

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The Introduction of Hybrid Racing

The Panoz Esperante GTR-1 Q9, known as "Sparky," was the first purpose-built hybrid racing car, pioneering applications of electrification that would become widespread throughout top-level motorsports over the decades that followed. In 1998 Panoz partnered with electric motor builder Zytek to design a powertrain that combined the benefits of both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The electric motor's instant and powerful low-speed torque allowed the optimization of the combustion engine for high-speed performance—a strategy now known as "torque fill," which has become the most common application for hybrid technology in motorsport. "Sparky" ultimately proved uncompetitive due to its increased weight compared to its non-hybrid rivals, but Panoz's radical concept has since been validated, as advances in battery technology have made hybrid cars a dominant presence in top-level motorsport today. Since 2012 every 24 Hours of Le Mans and Formula 1 Championship has been won by a driver in a hybrid race car.

COLLECTION OF THE PANOZ MUSEUM

This vehicle featured in the Totally Awesome! exhibit.

1998 Panoz Esperante GTR-1 Q9 “Sparky” Gallery

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