The X-Raid from ARES Design by Ex-Lotus Boss Dany Bahar

A phoenix, as we all know, rises from the ashes.

It might not look much like one, but the X-Raid G-Wagon you see above is undoubtedly a phoenix. The ashes, well, we’ll leave that to former Lotus boss Dany Bahar to explain.

Bahar left the world of ultra-fast production cars to start up ARES Design, a new luxury bespoke coachbuilding company producing rides like the recently revealed X-Raid. Perched atop a chassis from a Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG, the X-Raid’s body is made from carbon fiber and aluminum and is nearly 450 pounds lighter than the body on the Benz.

Under the hood sits a trimmed version of the AMG’s 5.5-liter V8 packing 760 ponies and a top speed of 155 MPH. Within the 16.4-foot-long wagon awaits a redesigned cockpit with a sports steering wheel, Nappa leather upholstery and two single VIP seats in the rear. Underneath it all resides a quartet of 22-inch bespoke forged wheels outfitted with a tire pressure control system.

“Our ambition at ARES Design is to provide a unique offer to car enthusiasts,” Bahar told Top Gear. “A blend of skills, service and technologies through a network of artisans and craftsmen working under one roof with our own design and technology team. For me, as a car enthusiast, it really is a dream come true.”

Customizable on request, the limited-edition X-Raid is rumored to cost around $1 million. Find out for sure by clicking over to the Ares Design.

Meet your guide

Evan Bleier

Evan is a senior editor with InsideHook who earned a master’s degree in journalism from NYU and has called Brooklyn home since 2006. A fan of Boston sports, Nashville hot chicken and Kentucky bourbon, Evan has had his work published in publications including “Maxim,” Bleacher Report and “The Daily Mail.”