There are major mechanical improvements to the engine.
The Ares Design S Project transforms the C8 Corvette into a more sporty sports car. Although it seems a bit unbelievable, the company claims that the first deliveries will be made by the end of this year. Ares boss and former Lotus CEO Dany Bashar tells Top Gear all about the new project.
The latest Corvette’s chassis and eight-speed dual clutch gearbox are straight off the Corvette. The engine is doing something strange. The 6.2-liter V8 engine produces 705 horsepower (526 Kilowatts) at 6,450 RPM and 715 pound feet (969 Newton-meters), at 5,150 RPM. It is also capable of revving to 9,000 rpm.
This is clearly not the V8 stock engine of the Vette. Bahar doesn’t say what’s different. It’s a secret between us and our USA supplier. Bahar explained Top Gear that it’s only mechanical modifications. You can’t do it through software. It sounds very similar to old F1 V10s.
It will be a challenge to extract 200 hp (149 kW), and keep the Corvette’s LT2V8 naturally aspirated and displacing 6.2 liters. The claimed 9,000 rpm rev limit is 2,500 revs higher than the current version. These specs suggest that the powerplant has undergone extensive upgrades.
The S Project has swoopy bodywork. It features a low nose and prominent fenders, which should allow for excellent outward visibility. The roofline is flowing and features a scoop to send air to the engine. There are also louvers on all fenders. The rear deck is where the exhausts rise vertically. Although there doesn’t seem to be a rear view, a camera system might solve the problem.
Ares Design plans to build 24 copies of the S Project in two years, and then sell them for EUR500,000 (or $594,375 at the current exchange rate). The company hopes to eventually introduce other variants of this model.