Panoz Roadster Overview: Specs, Generations, and Which to Buy
Panoz Roadster specs at a glance: a 1992–1999 roadster with 218–305 hp, manual gearboxes and rear-wheel drive. A guide to its single generation and the two versions worth knowing.
The Panoz Roadster is a rear-wheel-drive roadster built from 1992 to 1999, offered only with a manual gearbox and outputs ranging from 218 to 305 hp. Anyone searching for Panoz Roadster specs will find a simple lineup: one generation, two versions, no automatic option. It suits drivers who want an open two-seater focused on straightforward mechanics and strong V8 power.
Panoz Roadster generations
1 generation (1992–1999)
The first and only generation of the Panoz Roadster ran from 1992 to 1999 with a single roadster body style. Power spans 218 to 305 hp across two modifications, all paired with a manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. The Panoz Roadster 4.6 MT (1 generation) is the stronger version: its 4601 cc engine produces 305 hp and delivers 0–100 km/h acceleration in 4.6 seconds. The Panoz Roadster 4.9 MT (1 generation) uses a larger 4942 cc engine tuned to 218 hp. The absence of automatic gearboxes or all-wheel drive keeps the lineup easy to understand: the choice comes down to which engine sits under the hood.
Which Panoz Roadster to buy
- 4.6 MT (1 generation): the 305 hp version with a 4601 cc engine accelerates to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, making it the clear pick for performance.
- 4.9 MT (1 generation): the 4942 cc engine offers 218 hp for buyers who want the larger displacement in the same manual, rear-wheel-drive package.
Since production ended in 1999, every Panoz Roadster on the market is a used car from the same 1992–1999 generation, so condition matters more than model year. The single-generation, two-version lineup makes comparing candidates simple: verify which engine is fitted and you know exactly which specification you are looking at.
Which Panoz Roadster to avoid
The numbers favor the Panoz Roadster 4.6 MT (1 generation) on paper: 305 hp against 218 hp from the 4.9 MT, despite the smaller 4601 cc displacement. The 4.9 MT is not strictly dominated, however — its 4942 cc engine is the larger of the two — so neither version needs to be ruled out; the 4.6 MT is simply the stronger performer of the pair.