The Gumpert Apollo is one of the cars we always like. It takes an Audi 4.2-liter twin-turbo V8 and makes one of the quickest cars around. But that doesn’t seem good enough for Gumpert, because it is bering an even faster car to the Geneva Motor Show.
It’s called the Apollo Speed, and aerodynamics are its claim to fame. Gumpert will still offer the same choices of 650 hp, 700 hp or 800 hp (race-only) variations for the Audi V8, but revised body work will return 0 to 62 mph (100 kmh) in 3 seconds and 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) in just 8.9 seconds. Top speed goes up to 224 mph.
Things that haven’t changed on the car include the delicious carbon / aluminium sandwich that holds the Apollo together. We don’t yet have full details on how different the Speed version will look, but all will be revealed to us at Geneva in March - stay tuned.
There is at least some good news in a tough economic climate that has put many supecars on life-support. The fastest car on Top Gear’s test track shows no signs of slowing. Gumpert has announced plans to get production of their Apollo supercar up to nose-bleedingly high numbers: 25. Well, that’s a significant number considering it took three years to build the first 40 cars.
The be-fast-if-you-can’t-be-pretty sports car is powered by an Audi-sourced 650 hp twin-turbo V8. That’s good for 0-60 mph time in under three seconds and a top speed of 220 mph.
The extremely egotistic (which is somewhat earned) press release after the jump.
Top Gear’s top car couldn’t stay off these shores forever. It seems that Gumpert will officially import its Apollo supercar to the U.S. The car may look ugly, but its 650 hp Audi-sourced twin-turbo V8 makes it beautifully fast. The only thing quicker than the car is the money escaping your wallet. Base price is around $400,000 and can climb as high as $750,000.
For regulation purposes, the cars will be imported as a kit and assembled in the U.S. Watch as the assembler, Evolution Motorsports of Arizona, goes through the U.S. spec cars.
If you’re not in part of the World that gets BBC2, or you don’t cheat and get it online, you may be missing out on the latest series of Top Gear. Until the new episodes get to you, watch as German sportscar maker Gumpert has got the guys at Top Gear pretty excited with its Apollo. This Audi-based supercar uses its 650 horsepower twin turbo V-8 to set the new track record.
Last month we reported that Gumpert will compete at the 24 Hours Nurnburgring in May with a hybrid Apollo. And today we bring you the first images and details about the car.
Instead of using the road-going Apollo’s 650bhp, 4.2-litre V8, engineers have opted for a 3.3-litre V8 and a 100kW electric motor that together produce 630bhp. The petrol-electric racer also comes with a regenerative braking system that charges its lithium-ion batteries.
Ex Formula 1 driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen and American Le Mans series driver Dirk Muller will be piloting the Apollo hybrid at the 24-hour race, which takes place on 24-25 May.
The car will compete with models like Porsche 911 GT3, Dodge Viper, Lamborghini Gallardo, BMW Z4 and Chevrolet Corvette.
