The Ares Panther is a Huracan‑powered modern Pantera

It will be produced under a limited-run series of “bespoke creations” in Ares’ factory in Modena, with the first cars going on sale in the second half of next year. The model is currently undergoing final design, aerodynamic and crash-test engineering, and a set of images has been shown to prospective customers – Ares says several deposits have been taken.  

Dany Bahar, founder and CEO of Ares, was propelled into the limelight at Red Bull, from where Luca di Montezemelo pinched him to oversee brand initiatives at Ferrari. But it was his controversial stewardship of, and subsequent acrimonious departure from, Lotus that really made his name.

Bahar has described Ares, which launched to the world in October, as “a new kind of automotive atelier” which has access to all the brands and can create SUVs, shooting brakes… whatever the customer fancies.

Ares is already busy creating the X-Raid (based on the Mercedes G-Class) and Design Coupe for the Bentley Mulsanne (the first two cars have been presented to the customers). 

Dany Bahar said this week, “Our strategy is unique in the automotive world: no other business – whether OEM, styling house or personalisation specialist – offers the full range of services from personalisation to full coach-building under one roof with a growing global network of market specialists that we believe satisfies every possible customer desire. Project Panther feels right now like our ‘halo car’, but I can guarantee there is much more to come in 2018.”