Gumpert Apollo
| Gumpert Apollo | ||
|---|---|---|
Curb weight 1,100–1,200 kg (2,425–2,646 lb) | | |
| Chronology | ||
| Successor | Gumpert Tornante Apollo Intensa Emozione | |
The Gumpert Apollo is a sports car produced by German automotive manufacturer Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur GmbH in Altenburg. Gumpert filed for bankruptcy in August 2013, thereby ending the production of the Apollo.[2][3]
History
In 2000, Roland Gumpert proposed a new generation of sports cars. One of the primary criteria for this car was that it be street-legal yet ready for the racetrack. He returned to Germany at the end of 2001, after over three years in China where he was the head of sales and marketing responsible for the development of the dealer network of the Audi-VW joint enterprise there. Subsequently, automobile designer Roland Mayer asked him if he would assist in building a prototype sports car. Audi approved Gumpert's involvement in this project, on the condition that, if they did eventually develop a new sports car, it would not be a prototype, but a series product.[4]
The company, located in Altenburg, Germany was founded in 2004 under the name GMG Sportwagenmanufaktur Altenburg GmbH. The technical guidelines were defined and the first designs of the car were drawn by Marco Vanetta. Upon Vanetta's completion of this process, the first 1:4 scale model of Gumpert's car was produced in 2001.
Gumpert continued with the development of the Apollo, along with the Technical University of Munich and the Ingolstadt University of Applied Sciences. They assisted him with the constructional work, computer simulations, and wind tunnel tests. This research and development helped forming the blueprint for the first 1:1 scale model. Finally, two prototype cars were constructed.[5] Production of the Apollo started in October 2005.[6]
Soon after the first fully functioning road car made its way to Europe, the car became fully road-legal and was sold in various Gumpert dealerships. Very soon after, car reviewers praised the car's speed and cornering. During a review in
Design
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The Apollo weighs between 1,100 kg (2,400 lb) and 1,200 kg (2,600 lb) (depending on options), and is fully street-legal. It is a mid-engine, rear wheel drive two-seater constructed on a tubular
The Apollo set a 7:11.57 lap time at Nürburgring achieved by German car magazine Sport Auto.
Engine
The Apollo uses a 4,163 cc
There were 3 engine types available:
- Base version - approximately 650 PS (478 kW; 641 bhp)
- Sport version - approximately 700 PS (515 kW; 690 bhp)
- Race version - approximately 800 PS (588 kW; 789 bhp)
Speed overview (650 hp):[citation needed]
- Top speed: 360.4 km/h (223.9 mph)
- 0-100 km/h (62 mph): 3.1 seconds
- 0-200 km/h (124 mph): 9.1 seconds
References
- ^ D, Nick (15 January 2016). "Gumpert Apollo". Supercars.net. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ Hayward, Matthew (30 August 2013). "Gumpert goes bankrupt". Retrieved 1 September 2013.
- ^ Ballaban, Michael (1 September 2013). "Gumpert Goes Bust With Bankruptcy". Retrieved 1 September 2013.
- ^ "PR GUMPERT Dezember 2008_english" (PDF). Retrieved 6 January 2009.
- ^ "Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur - History". Archived from the original on 7 October 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
- ^ "Doc1280" (PDF). Retrieved 6 January 2009.[dead link]
- ^ "GUMPERT Sportwagenmanufaktur GMBH". Archived from the original on 9 March 2009. Retrieved 26 April 2009. Gumpert Homepage
- ^ Meaden, Richard (31 October 2007). "Gumpert Apollo". evo. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
External links
