Champ Car unveils new Panoz

At a special ceremony at San Jose, the first full-sized Panoz DP01 was shown off to the general public, which will be the first American-built chassis to compete in the series since 2000.

Panoz won the contract to be the sole chassis supplier to Champ Car from 2007 to 2009 last October, and are in the process of building chassis orders for the series in time for next year.

The first cars will be available to test at the end of the year.

"Aerodynamically we have broken away from various existing Champ Car features, which have been a product of the existing regulations," said Elan Motorsports chief designer Simon Marshall.

"We have to create the downforce in a sensible manner that is not as setup critical, and which is less affected by traffic turbulent wakes. [Chief Aerodynamicist] Nick [Alcock] has produced a superb underbody for this car, and an awesome looking topside which should keep the fans and drivers excited."

The design includes a number of changes to the existing Champ Car, including paddle shift semi-automatic gearbox, additional 'sharkfin' aerodynamic elements and a change of the seat angle for the drivers designed to improve driver safety.

"The 2007 Champ Car was designed with three objectives in mind," said Champ Car co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven.

"First, to increase the excitement for the fans by allowing closer racing and more overtaking. Second, to level the playing field for all teams, which will also increase fan excitement.

"Third, to make a dramatic decrease in the costs for the teams thereby allowing new teams to join the series. This car achieves all three objectives."

• Click here for photo album of the new Panoz chassis