Ares Design Project Panther, the model that aims to bring the De Tomaso Pantera back to life

In the 70s and 80s they gave us sports cars that, despite their age, are still coveted by many people all over the world. Moreover, these are models that have not lost value over the years; if anything, they have appreciated. It is hard to pick just one among them, as the answer may vary according to personal preferences, but we could all agree that the De Tomaso Pantera belongs to this elite.

This Italian sports car had, and still has for its lucky owners, a truly spectacular design that leaves no one indifferent, in addition to an engine worthy of any American Muscle Car. In fact, to be precise, the Pantera was powered by a Cleveland V8 engine of Ford which was fitted to the period’s Mustang, capable of delivering between 285 and 330 CV depending on the version chosen.

These arguments, among many others, have made the De Tomaso Pantera a highly sought-after and desired model today, a model that unfortunately did not continue to evolve and never made it to the present day. But that may have a remedy thanks to the Italian coachbuilder Ares Design, which seems to have set out to bring the Pantera back to life in its most modern and technological version.

To this end, they are immersed in what they have called Project Panther, a model that, whichever way you look at it, is a constant reminder of the Pantera, adapting its lines to current design standards. For this, Ares Design has taken as its base another Italian sports car, the Lamborghini Huracán, from which it inherits most of its technology, such as the carbon fibre and aluminium chassis.

This will not be the only thing the Project Panther takes from the Lamborghini Huracán, as its heart will be the same 5,204 cc V10 engine that delivers a power output of 610 CV and a maximum torque of 560 Nm, paired with the 7-speed LDF dual-clutch automatic gearbox. It will also feature the same all-wheel-drive system with a mechanical rear limited-slip differential.

Fortunately for all engine enthusiasts, the Project Panther will not be a design exercise left gathering dust in a drawer. For the time being it is in the design phase, and the company is optimistic about delivering the first units in the second half of 2018; in fact, they are already carrying out the necessary initial crash tests. Production will take place in Italy, specifically in Modena, at Ares Design’s new facilities.