MCE MC1; The Lotus test mule that never was

In 2007, a mystery supercar prototype was seen testing in the UK.  Rumors surfaced that it was the new Lotus sports car, or a future Noble supercar, but no actual details emerged about this mystery car, except that it was apparently registered as having a 7.0L engine, which made some people think it had a Corvette engine, and that some Lotus paperwork was also spied inside the cabin. 
          Then, in 2008, the MCE MC1 was revealed to the public, with a 600hp V10 engine (and, of course, those awesome butterfly-wing doors).  It was designed by David Hilton, the same person who designed the Ford S-Max and Focus RS, and production of the MC1 was supposed to start in 2011.  Everyone took it for granted that that was what had been seen testing.  And it may have been.  But I have other ideas. 
          Before I even saw this post on iedeiblog.com, I got to thinking, first of all, this; "That couldn't have been the MCE MC1 prototype, look at where the exhaust exits!" and then, "That really looks like a De Tomaso Pantera!  In fact, an ARES Design Panther!  The front scoops even match!"  And then I happened upon the previously mentioned post, and this basically confirmed my suspicion.  A video (see here), uploaded to YouTube in May 2011, showed the exact same car exiting the De Tomaso factory grounds!  Now I'm wondering this; Why Lotus?  Lotus paperwork was seen in the mystery car's cabin, but if this was really the ARES Design Panther, then why was Lotus paperwork spied?  This leads me to believe this; There is an unknown supercar still out there. 
          Think about it.  Well, actually, let's go on a rabbit trail temporarily, and think about the Apollo car company.  Why?  Because they are the ones who bought the rights to the De Tomaso name in 2014.  It would follow that they now own the factory, right?  Maybe.  They are going to start production of the P72 hypercar this year, and they may use that faculty.  But maybe not, I don't know.  OK, now let's think about ARES Design.  They do not own that factory, neither do they have the rights to the De Tomaso name.  They will build the Panther in another place, as far as I know.  Now, about Lotus.  As far as I know, and can find online, Lotus has nothing to do with either ARES Design or Apollo.  But they may have something to do with another unknown company.  And now I'll tell you what I'm driving at.  The team at Apollo does a lot of things, so mightn't they help develop a new car?  Probably so!
          So, what do I think about this all?  I think that there is either (a); A supercar out there still being developed and waiting to be unveiled, or (b); The ARES Design Panther.  Which one is it though?  Personally, I think that it was the ARES Design Panther test mule, or even a final attempt by De Tomaso to revive the brand, but whatever it was, it almost definitely wasn't the MCE MC1.

MCE MC1 supercar gallery

The prototype that was seen