ARES Defender

A distinctive expression of off-road capability, craftsmanship and contemporary refinement.

The ARES Defender brings together a commanding presence, robust mechanical architecture and a carefully considered approach to materials, performance and detail.

Its purposeful proportions create the foundation for an extensive transformation focused on capability, comfort and individual expression. The result is a vehicle conceived to retain an authentic off-road character while offering a significantly more refined and personal experience.

Performance is approached through the same bespoke philosophy that defines the rest of the vehicle. Powertrain, transmission and chassis configuration can be selected according to the intended use and character of each individual commission, allowing the Defender to be tailored around different driving priorities and environments.

Carbon fiber elements, widened bodywork and contemporary lighting contribute to a stronger and more distinctive visual identity, while the cabin introduces a level of finish and comfort designed for journeys both on and beyond the road.

The ARES Defender is created for those who seek character, capability and individuality in equal measure.

SCULPTED FOR THE ABSOLUTE

The soul of an icon, forged in carbon and elegance

The ARES Defender combines an uncompromising off-road stance with a more refined and contemporary visual language.

Its upright proportions, strong shoulders and substantial presence remain central to its character, while carefully developed exterior elements introduce greater definition and visual precision.

A sculptural carbon fiber front section accommodates contemporary full LED headlights, complemented by a carbon fiber hood and widened fenders.

Large tinted windows and carefully integrated detailing complete a design that remains immediately recognizable as a Defender while expressing a highly individual character.

Every component contributes to a balance between strength and refinement, creating a vehicle whose presence feels deliberate from every angle.

BEYOND THE ESSENTIAL

Built to envelop, not merely to accommodate

Inside, the ARES Defender moves decisively beyond purely functional expectations. The cabin is transformed through custom-stitched leathers, carefully selected wood veneers and bespoke finishing details extending throughout the interior, including the rear seating area. A carbon fiber steering wheel, finished with finely crafted upholstery, contributes to the tactile quality of the driving environment. An evolved infotainment system, refined climate control, panoramic glass roof and power windows further enhance the cabin, creating an environment where comfort and usability are treated as fundamental components of the experience. The result is a space designed for long-distance travel, daily use and exploration without sacrificing refinement.

NO DISTANCE

Total connectivity to command every horizon

The ARES Defender combines its mechanical capability with contemporary connectivity and infotainment.

An advanced Hi-Fi system with integrated navigation provides a modern in-car experience, while Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offer intuitive access to communication, navigation and entertainment functions.

These technologies are integrated into the cabin without overwhelming its character, allowing functionality to remain immediate and discreet.

The result is a vehicle equally prepared for long journeys, urban environments and routes extending far beyond conventional roads.

LIMITLESS TRACTION

Mechanical capability across changing terrain

The ARES Defender can be configured around different mechanical and chassis solutions according to the intended use of each individual vehicle. Suspension setup, ride height, transmission configuration and traction systems may form part of the bespoke development process, allowing the vehicle to be oriented towards road use, long-distance touring or more demanding off-road environments. Where specified, features such as adjustable suspension, lockable differentials and transfer-case configurations can contribute to a high degree of mechanical control across changing surfaces. Rather than defining the Defender around a single fixed specification, the focus is on building a coherent mechanical package around the driver's requirements.

Defender

Distinctive character. Individual configuration.

The ARES Defender combines strong mechanical capability with bespoke Italian craftsmanship, contemporary materials and an extensive approach to personalization.

Its exterior incorporates carbon fiber elements across the front section, hood and widened fenders, complemented by full LED lighting and a panoramic roof.

Rather than altering the fundamental proportions of the vehicle, these interventions accentuate its strong geometric identity while introducing a more contemporary level of execution.

Inside, custom-stitched leathers, fine wood veneers and carefully finished surfaces define a more sophisticated environment.

The carbon fiber steering wheel is complemented by modern infotainment, integrated navigation and complete connectivity.

Mechanical configuration forms an integral part of the bespoke process. Different powertrain and transmission solutions may be considered according to the character, intended use and technical objectives of the individual project.

This approach allows performance to be treated not as a predetermined specification, but as another dimension of personalization.

The result is a Defender with a highly distinctive personality, combining mechanical presence, bespoke craftsmanship and contemporary comfort.

THE ATELIER, NOT THE CATALOGUE

Individuality at the heart of every example

Each ARES Defender is conceived as an individual expression rather than as part of a standardized specification. Leathers, wood veneers and cabin finishes can be selected to create a highly personal interior environment. Exterior and functional elements such as a winch, spare-wheel configuration or ski rack may also be specified according to the intended use of the vehicle. The same philosophy can extend to the mechanical configuration, with powertrain, transmission, suspension and drivetrain solutions evaluated according to the objectives of each commission. This bespoke approach allows aesthetic choices, functionality and driving character to coexist within a coherent overall configuration. Personalization therefore extends far beyond color and trim, allowing each example to develop its own distinctive identity.

BEYOND CONVENTION

Familiar proportions, contemporary capability

The ARES Defender preserves the strong geometric proportions that define its visual identity while introducing substantial changes in materials, chassis, equipment and mechanical configuration. Carbon fiber exterior components, contemporary lighting and carefully selected suspension solutions give the vehicle a more individual visual and dynamic character. Depending on the individual specification, the mechanical package can be configured to emphasize different qualities, from torque and long-distance usability to responsiveness, control or a more direct driving experience.

These interventions do not seek to reinvent the fundamental character of the vehicle. Instead, they provide a contemporary interpretation focused on execution, capability and refinement. The result is immediately recognizable yet distinctly individual.

THE ART OF MATTER

Bespoke materials, precisely executed

Material selection plays a central role in the ARES Defender. Carbon fiber is used extensively across the exterior to combine reduced mass, structural performance and a distinctive technical aesthetic. The hood, widened fenders and front section are complemented by carefully selected cabin materials, creating a deliberate contrast between technical surfaces and warmer elements such as leather and wood. The objective is not decorative excess, but consistency. Every material has a clearly defined role within the overall composition, allowing craftsmanship and engineering to coexist naturally throughout the vehicle.

MECHANICAL CONTROL

Capability designed around the driver

Mechanical specification is developed around the intended use of each ARES Defender. Powertrain, transmission, suspension and traction systems can form part of the configuration process, allowing different priorities to be addressed within the technical package. Depending on specification, solutions such as adjustable suspension, permanent all-wheel drive, lockable differentials and transfer-case systems can provide substantial control across a wide variety of surfaces. Transmission choice can equally contribute to the character of the vehicle, whether the objective is ease of use, long-distance capability or a more direct and involving mechanical experience. The emphasis remains firmly on coherence between driver expectations, vehicle character and technical configuration.

UNSTOPPABLE REFINEMENT

Comfort without compromising capability

The bespoke leather seats, including those extending into the rear passenger area, combine visual refinement with practical comfort. Heated seating, available according to configuration, further enhances usability in colder environments and during long journeys. Materials, ergonomics and equipment are selected to support the vehicle's broad range of use without undermining its inherently robust character. Inside the ARES Defender, refinement and capability are therefore not treated as opposing qualities. They are designed to complement one another.

ENGINEERED AROUND THE INDIVIDUAL

A technical specification defined by purpose

There is no need for every ARES Defender to follow the same mechanical formula. The technical specification can be developed around the intended character and use of the individual vehicle, considering powertrain, transmission, drivetrain, suspension and equipment as interconnected elements of the same project. Different solutions may therefore be explored according to the client's priorities, from torque and usability to mechanical involvement, touring capability or off-road performance. The objective is not to pursue a single headline figure. It is to create a coherent vehicle in which mechanical specification, materials, comfort and functionality support the same overall vision. Final technical specifications are defined according to the configuration of each individual vehicle.

Dimensions

Length	4985 mm
Width	2000 mm
Height	1856 mm
Front Track	1680 mm
Rear Track	1680 mm
Wheelbase	2750 mm
Front overhang	667 mm
Rear overhang	978 mm

Chassis

Based on Land Rover Defender donor car chassis

Body

Some addictional parts manufactured in high quality carbon fiber

Redesigned front-end, front and rear fender

New panoramic rear windows

New panoramic roof

Engine

Engine type	V8
Displacement	5328 cc
Power	380 hp, 280 kw at 5600 rpm
Torque	519 Nm at 4100 rpm

Engine Upgrade

Sport air filter

Transmission

Type	AWD with 3 lockable differentials and low range gears
Gearbox	6-speed automatic

Suspensions

Coil spring with ORAM electronic adjustable shocks

35mm suspension lift kit

Wheels, Tyres & Brakes

ARES alloy wheels, 18 inches

305/70 R18 Cooper Discoverer tyres

Brakes: Disc diameter 265 mm, 6-piston callipers

Interior

Handcrafted artisan interior panels in leather and carbon

Real wood floor and panels

Infotainment

Hi-Fi system with Navigation

Bluetooth, Apple Car Play & Android Auto connectivity

Options

Heating seats

Electric winch

Spare wheel

Ski rack