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John Mahoney13 Dec 2017
NEWS

ARES Design reveals V10-powered Project Panther

Lamborghini-based tribute complete with pop-up headlights

ARES Design has launched a new supercar claimed to be inspired by the original De Tomaso Pantera from the early 1970s.

The Project Panther, unveiled late last night, borrows clear Pantera design cues including its striking wedge-shaped silhouette, rear window air intakes and dramatic flying buttresses...plus a pair of pop-up headlights.

Even its name is shared with the Ghia-designed original – pantera is Italian for 'panther'.

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Beneath the modern Panther's body, ARES has based its latest creation on the current Lamborghini Huracan.

Which means under its retro garb lies the same 448kW/560Nm 5.2-litre V10 combined with a seven-speed dual clutch and all-wheel drive, that can launch the supercar to 100km/h in just 3.2 seconds before topping out at around 325km/h.

Volumes have not yet been confirmed for the Project Panther which is slated to be built at ARES' new plant in Modena, Italy (naturally) from next year.

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When the first Panther rolls off the line, it will join the Italian coachbuilder's existing Mercedes G-Wagen, Bentley Mulsanne and Rolls-Royce Wraith-based creations.

ARES is headed by controversial ex-Lotus boss, Dany Bahar, who has already declared the company will become a global leader in bespoke car creations.

With first deliveries expected in the third quarter of 2018, pricing for the Project Panther has not been announced. Bahar, meanwhile, has reportedly confirmed that ARES has already begun work on a flagship model which could be based on a new breed of hypercar.

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