Once viewed as an economical gateway to supercar thrills, the Corvette has ascended to the echelons of Europe's elite performance vehicles. In 2020, Ares Modena, a renowned Italian design house, introduced the 'S1' Project concept tailored for the Corvette C8 chassis. Under the guidance of Dany Bahar, <a href="https://robbreport.com.au/motors/automotive/ares-design-reveals-s1-supercar/">a former luminary</a> at Lotus and Ferrari, the team infused European elegance into the Corvette, transforming it into the distinguished 'S1' Project. 
 
Ares Design, named after the famed Greek God of War, is situated in Modena's supercar epicenter, neighbors with Maserati and just a stone's throw away from iconic marques like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Pagani.
 
 
European Aesthetics Meets Raw Power
 
While the Corvette stands proud with its angular designs, the Modena S1 offers a smoother, more rounded aesthetic. This blending showcases the raw, rugged persona of the Corvette with Italy’s penchant for sophistication. 
 
<img src="https://d2l6r91nnee1so.cloudfront.net/media/Screenshot_2023_10_06_at_8_21_51_AM_2e2d43c49f.png" alt="Screenshot 2023-10-06 at 8.21.51 AM.png">
 
 
Evolution and Design
 
Available in a chic Spyder drop-top or the Speedster, featuring a hardtop design that echoes Le Mans racers from the 1960s and 70s, the evolution from its 2020 concept to the latest versions showcases the iconic 'gullwings' inspired by Mercedes-Benz SL.
 
Points of contention arose from design inspirations, but by 2022, the S1's aesthetics drew from a broader automotive landscape, including design cues from Koenigsegg, Bugatti, and McLaren. With a body crafted entirely from carbon fiber, it bears little resemblance to the Corvette, even though they share the same foundational elements.
 
 
<img src="https://d2l6r91nnee1so.cloudfront.net/media/Screenshot_2023_10_05_at_2_21_12_PM_7d5afed7c2.png" alt="Screenshot 2023-10-05 at 2.21.12 PM.png">
 
 
Performance Unleashed
 
Under the hood, the S1 retains the essence of its American roots. The naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine, borrowed from the mid-engined C8 Corvette, powers the vehicle. With a massive<a href="https://carbuzz.com/news/ares-modena-s1-elevates-the-c8-corvette-into-supercar-status"> 600 horsepower and 471 lb-ft of torque</a>, this beast channels its energy to the rear wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. What’s even more impressive is its lightweight stature. Crafted entirely by hand using carbon fiber and designed at Ares' Centro Stile in Modena, the S1 is notably lighter than the Corvette by almost 661 lbs. This weight advantage allows the S1 to dash from 0 to 62mph in a fleeting 2.7 seconds and reach speeds of up to 184 mph. Stationary or on the move, the new gullwing doors ensure it remains the center of attention.
 
 
Craftsmanship in Every Detail
 
Inside, every inch exudes Italian ingenuity. A three-screen setup commands the cockpit: a digital instrument cluster, a generously-sized infotainment touchscreen, and an additional passenger-side display. While some features like the steering wheel and switches are reminiscent of the Corvette C8, the dashboard's dome-like structures evoke the more classic Corvette designs. The interiors are a luxurious fusion of high-grade Nappa and Pieno Fiore leather, soft Alcantara, and swathes of exposed carbon fiber.
 
<img src="https://d2l6r91nnee1so.cloudfront.net/media/Screenshot_2023_10_05_at_2_22_21_PM_881f7d11fb.png" alt="Screenshot 2023-10-05 at 2.22.21 PM.png">
 
 
Price and Exclusivity 
 
As reported by <a href="https://carbuzz.com/news/ares-modena-s1-elevates-the-c8-corvette-into-supercar-status">CarBuzz</a>, the Ares Modena S1 is rumored to have a starting price of $600,000, <a href="https://carbuzz.com/news/ares-modena-s1-elevates-the-c8-corvette-into-supercar-status">surpassing</a> the Ferrari SF90 and Lamborghini Aventador. With only 24 units in production, the S1 promises a unique ownership experience for supercar enthusiasts.
 
While it has moved beyond its initial concept, the Italian manufacturer has now<a href="https://robbreport.com.au/motors/automotive/ares-design-reveals-s1-supercar/"> adopted a mantra </a>to build the S1 into a vehicle that “combines the design of a hypercar, the performance of a supercar, and the accessibility of a sports car.”
 
 
<img src="https://d2l6r91nnee1so.cloudfront.net/media/Screenshot_2023_10_06_at_8_22_16_AM_8fca5d9623.png" alt="Screenshot 2023-10-06 at 8.22.16 AM.png">ARES Modena's exclusive one-off S1 Project Spyder, auctioned earlier this year with proceeds going to UNICEF (via <a href="https://twitter.com/ObscureSupercar/status/1665347671715123201">Obscure Supercar</a>)
 
 
 
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The Ares Modena S1: Elevating the Corvette C8 into the Pinnacle of Italian Supercar Design

October 6, 2023 2:32 PM

By: MPH Team