Coachbuilt Ares Design Panther is tribute to De Tomaso Pantera

Following many enticing teasers and a camouflaged prototype, Modena-based Ares Design has revealed the Panther ProgettoUno – as it’s now known – coachbuilt supercar in final production specification.

Ares Design Panther Resurrects De Tomaso Pantera As 641HP Coachbuilt Huracan

The first product of Ares Design’s ‘Legends Reborn’ program may be named and styled after the legendary Tom Tjaarda designed 1970’s De Tomaso Pantera, but it is actually a Lamborghini at heart. Where the original Pantera brought together the best of two continents, the the retro-styled Panther ProgettoUno is entirely Italians. Instead of an American V8, this upcoming supercar has the same 5.2-liter V10 as the Lamborghini’s Huracan

In this application, however, the engine develops 650 PS (641 hp) at 8,250 rpm and 600 Nm (442 lb-ft) at 6,500 rpm courtesy of a tuned ECU and exhaust system. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and electronically controlled Haldex AWD system stay the same.

Despite packing 10 extra horses and the fact that it practically weighs the same (1,423 kg/3,137 lbs vs. 1,422 kg/3,134 lbs), the Panther is 0.2 seconds slower from 0 to 100 km/h than the latest Huracan Evo, covering the sprint in 3.1 seconds. Top speed, on the other hand, is an identical 325 km/h (201 mph). The company ‘mainly modifies the engine characteristics, the calibration, the gearbox changing times and the way the gearbox changes and of course the exhaust system’ to give the driver a ‘more emotional and more passionate experience’.

The original Pantera and the modern-day donor car share broadly similar dimensions. The donor is considerably wider, but with a wheelbase that is only 12 centimetres longer than the original Pantera it is an ideal basis for the transformation.

Compared to the donor car, the Panther is longer and narrower, thus sporting distinct proportions. The shape of the doors is actually the only thing that gives away the Huracan origins of the bespoke supercar. All the body panels are made from carbon fiber, and the pop-up headlights feature full LED technology.

Since we’re talking about a coachbuilt car, the interior is very different as well and only the digital cockpit reminds us of the Lambo. The cabin features handcrafted artisan interior panels in carbon fibre and leather, as well custom made Nappa leather and Alcantara upholstery. Obviously, Ares Design can fully tailor it to the customer’s wishes, no request or demand from the customer is too hard.

It is exquisitely constructed from carbon fibre and has a unique mix of traditional craftsmanship and modern engineering and manufacturing technologies.

The company will start delivering Panthers to customers at the end of May. If you’re interested, the modern-day De Tomaso Pantera will set you back €615,000 (about $695,000). Building one car takes Ares Design three months, so you’ll have to be patient as well as wealthy.

With cars like the Panther ProgettoUno, it will be more beautiful on the roads. But for us, ‘simple people’, the only way to admire the car ‘live’ is to go to events like Villa d’Este or Goodwood Festival of Speed. Come into the wonderful world of Ares Design.