Perhaps an unintended consequence of the Chevrolet C8 Corvette’s existence is that Chevrolet has put a mid-engine sports car blank canvas with a big V-8 in the hands of anyone who can come up with $59,999 (assuming you can find one for that price). Enter the Ares Design S1 Project Spyder, the roofless version of the S1 Project.
The Italian coach building company, led by ex-Lotus head Dany Bahar, recently released images of the S1 Project Spider, and it (and the fixed-top version) are based on the C8 Corvette’s architecture, but they clearly look nothing like a C8. In fact, the S1 Project Spyder looks a lot more reminiscent of the McLaren Elva or the Ferrari Monza SP2.
In the spirit of true coachbuilding, not one panel has gone untouched. The body work is swoopier, and much like the one-off Lamborghini Aventador J, part of the hood actually flows into the cabin, creating the stem for the infotainment display and continuing to create the center console. There are vent, scoops, and ducts everywhere, and Ares says this is all part of making a car that is “pure emotion.”
Resting just behind the driver and passengers heads is a “naturally aspirated V-8” that makes 715 horsepower—we’re assuming it’s a modified version of the Corvette’s 6.2-liter LT2 V-8. Ares Design says those figures are the result of a custom exhaust and an ECU tune, but that’s a huge jump in output and we’re eager for more details.
Power is routed through an eight speed dual clutch automatic and sent to the rear wheels. We suspect this to be a heavily revised version of the DCT that’s in the current C8, beefed up to cope with all the extra power. Suspension is exactly the same setup as the C8—double A-arms front and rear with magnetorheological shocks at all four corners.
To be frank, the design looks special. Ares Design plans on a limited run at an undetermined price, and if the car does come to fruition it’ll be a sight to behold.
