Ares Design showed the world their latest creation
based on the Mercedes G-Class, called the X-Raid. The coachbuilding company, which is owned by
ex-Lotus CEO Dany Bahar, took a G63 AMG and redressed it with their own
carbon-fiber and aluminum bodywork that replaces the boxy shape with a less
boxy one, taking cues from the current Mercedes design language.
Ares claims that thanks to the new composite body,
the X-Raid is 200 kg lighter than the normal G63 while the 5.5-liter V8
has been tuned to deliver 760 hp. Top speed is rated at 250 km/h.
Inside we get a redesigned dashboard which aims to
give the X-Raid a less utilitarian, more luxurious aura along with two VIP
seats in the rear that are separated by a center console/armrest. Everything is
covered with the usual high-end materials, including Nappa leather and lots of
carbon fiber trim.
Ares Design also announced their new
18,000-square-meter manufacturing facilities in Modena, Italy. The company is
also planning to launch a Coupe version of the Bentley Mulsanne. In fact, the
car we showed you a few weeks back by the German Mcchip-DKR is the same one, as
the two companies are working together.
Ares hasn’t released any official details on the
pricing of the X-Raid yet but reports suggest that it could cost as much as US$ 700,000.
