Ares Design S1 - 2020

Ares S1: Million-Dollar Metamorphosis or Just a Corvette in Couture?

The Ares S1 presents a striking automotive question: is it a true million-dollar metamorphosis into a hypercar, or a breathtaking example of automotive couture expertly tailored onto Corvette underpinnings? Ares Modena, the Italian coachbuilder behind the S1, aims to create bespoke luxury vehicles combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology from its base in Modena's 'Motor Valley'. Founded by ex-Lotus CEO Dany Bahar, the company specializes in unique creations based on existing platforms.

The S1 project initially aimed to merge hypercar aesthetics with supercar performance and sports car accessibility. However, the "sportscar price tag" ambition evolved dramatically, with later pricing exceeding €1 million, pushing it into hypercar territory and intensifying questions about its value proposition.

Central to the S1 is its C8 Chevrolet Corvette foundation – its aluminum chassis, 6.2-liter V8 engine, 8-speed DCT, and Magnetic Ride Control suspension are all carried over. This provides proven engineering but limits design possibilities and frames the challenge of justifying its seven-figure price against mass-produced origins.

Visually, the S1 undergoes a dramatic transformation. A low-slung, carbon fiber body evokes Le Mans prototypes, featuring a wraparound windscreen, distinctive top-exit exhausts, and optional Gullwing doors. Ares claims extensive aerodynamic work, though the design has faced controversy over alleged similarities to a student project, casting a shadow on its originality. This bespoke exterior represents the "couture" aspect.

Inside, Ares applies luxury materials like Nappa leather, Alcantara, and carbon fiber, redesigning the dash for a cleaner, more premium feel than the C8. However, non-existent rear visibility and some retained Corvette switchgear slightly temper the full "metamorphosis" impression. The S1 is offered as both a Coupe and an open-top Speedster/Spyder.

Technically, beyond the bespoke exhaust and ECU tune for the Corvette V8, significant questions remain. Reported power figures swing wildly from early claims of 700+ hp to later figures near 530-600 hp with the stock redline. Crucially, despite significant weight reduction from the carbon body, the suspension tuning reportedly remains largely unchanged from the heavier C8. Limited test drives suggest compromised handling – a stiff ride and numb steering – indicating the "metamorphosis" might be primarily aesthetic, potentially sacrificing dynamic refinement.

Production is strictly limited (reportedly 24 Coupes, 24 Spyders), ensuring the exclusivity expected of high fashion. Initial pricing estimates (~€500k) ballooned, cementing its place among million-dollar machines.

Ultimately, the Ares S1 is a testament to coachbuilding ambition, wrapping a familiar American sports car in dramatic Italian design. Whether it represents a genuine metamorphosis justifying its million-dollar price, or remains fundamentally a Corvette dressed in exquisite couture, likely depends on whether the buyer values radical aesthetics and rarity above dynamic refinement and engineering originality.