ARES Design Begins Testing The Panther, A Modern Day Take On The De Tomaso Pantera

BY Michael Gauthier | Posted on

Project Panther is inching closer to production as ARES Design has released the first pictures of a camouflaged prototype.

Originally announced last year, the Panther is a limited production model which is envisioned as a modern-day version of the De Tomaso Pantera. Despite its retro-inspired design, the car will be based on the Lamborghini Huracan and feature custom carbon fiber bodywork as well as pop-up headlights.

Power will be provided an upgraded 5.6-liter V10 engine that produces an estimated 650 PS (478 kW / 641 hp) and 560 Nm (413 lb-ft) of torque. This would be 40 PS (29 kW / 39 hp) more the Huracan and the company suggested the final figure could be even higher.

ARES Design declined to say how fast the car will be, but it could be even quicker than the Huracan which can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 3.2 seconds before hitting a top speed in excess of 325 km/h (201 mph). Regardless of the final numbers, the company says the model will have an improved throttle response and sharper shifts from the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

According to ARES Design founder and former Lotus CEO Dany Bahar, “This is a really exciting moment for us. Within just six months of announcing the Panther project we have our test car on the road and are ready to present to the world our expression of a car that I dreamt of as a kid.” He went on to describe the model as a “perfect blend of old school charm and charisma.”

The Panther is slated to go into production in October and pricing will start at €515,000 ($597,374 / £461,600). Only 21 units will be built and all of the build spots for 2018 have already been spoken for.

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