Pop-Up Headlights Are Back! – The 650+bhp Ares Panther
It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a new car with pop-up headlights hit the road after they’re sudden banishment from the rule books. But the well known coach building company, Ares Design, has just released press images of their latest creation called the Panther. And as the headline suggests, it does indeed bring back pop-up headlights to modern design.
Taking design hints from the De Tomaso Pantera from the 70s and placing them on top of the carbon/aluminium chassis from a Lamborghini Huracán, plus of course the pop-ups, they’ve created a car that holds onto the design cues of old. The powertrain is all but that, however. An upgraded version of the Lambo V10 produces 650bhp and 413lb ft of torque thanks to an increase from 5.2-litres to 5.6.
Ares are keen to remind us that this may not be the final configuration however, so these bloated numbers may be getting even higher in the coming months. Its 7-speed dual clutch ‘box gets a good going over, too, as well as the noise that will be erupting from the car’s rear.
“One of the most significant characteristics of the Ares Panther is its voice,” explains Ares techy Matteo Vezzani. “The sound produced from the naturally aspirated V10 is nothing short of a roar.”
21 Panthers are to be produced, each with a price tag of at least ¢515,000. Oh, and each one has be paid for already.
“Within just six months of announcing the Panther project we have our test car on the road,” explains Ares boss man Dany Bahar. “The Ares Panther will be the perfect blend of old school charm and charisma, underpinned with an iconic modern chassis and clothed in full carbon.”
We really can’t wait to see these on the road, but more importantly, we can’t wait for this to spark a sudden increase in pop-up headlights. Please?
