Top Speed

TopSpeed's Fastest Cars of 2011

Alexander@topspeed.com(Alexander) — Fri, 6 Jan 2012 19:00:00 GMT

We’re rounding off our Best of 2011 lists with one that is near and dear to our hearts. This list is all about top speed and top speed only, those who have it and one who hopes to achieve it.

Of course, speed hopes are nothing new. The battle for the fastest car in the world has been ongoing since the sports and super cars first made their appearance and more than likely, it will never end. These past couple years have been a game of one-upmanship between SSC and Bugatti with both succeeding in one way or another. But who tops the list for 2011?

Before getting into that, we think it is important to note that we only incorporated vehicles that were sold in 2011. For example, the Koenigsegg CCX may have a top speed of 240 mph, but that production ended in 2010, which takes the supercar out of the running for this list in particular. Don’t worry, though, Koenigsegg is still well-represented.

Hit the jump to see the top ten list of the fastest cars of 2011.

TopSpeed's Fastest Cars of 2011 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 6 January 2012 19:00 EST.

Adrian Sutil Crashes a Gumpert Apollo at Nurburgring

Simona@topspeed.com(Simona) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 19:00:00 GMT

When people drive fast vehicles at high speeds, accidents are bound to happen. When these people happen to be professional Formula One race car drivers, the numbers of accidents decrease, but still exist. Just ask German F1 driver, Adrian Sutil, who had a little trouble keeping the Gumpert Apollo steady during some testing at the Nurburgring.

Apparently, Sutil was in the middle of testing when he lost control and crashed the Apollo. The Apollo escaped with just a few repairs, but apparently Sutil suffered a few broken teeth. No other injuries were reported.

As a reminder, the Gumpert Apollo is powered by a 4.2-liter bi-turbo 8-cylinder engine and weighs in at around 2400 lbs. It can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and can hit a top speed of 225 mph. Apparently, it’s a little more difficult to keep a 700 HP supercar at bay than it is a Formula One car. Okay, not even we believe that, but we’re sure the F1 cars have more safety devices in place just in case an accident does occur.

gallery: 2006 - 2012 Gumpert Apollo

Adrian Sutil Crashes a Gumpert Apollo at Nurburgring originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 19 July 2011 19:00 EST.

Gumpert Apollo

Kirby@topspeed.com(Kirby) — Tue, 3 May 2011 13:00:00 GMT

“It has always been a dream of mine to have a car that has so much downforce, such aerodynamic efficiency that you could drive on the roof of a tunnel at high speed - and this car can.”

These were the words of Roland Gumpert a little over a decade ago when he was fresh of leaving his job as the director of Audi Sport. During his tenure with the Ingolstadt-based automaker, he oversaw a team that won a total of 25 World Rally Championship races and four World Rally Championship titles.

In 2004, Gumpert officially founded GMG Sportwagenmanufaktur Altenburg GmbH in Altenburg, Germany, thus paving the way for the birth of one of the most exotic niche German supercars of the past decade: the Gumpert Apollo. Since it’s debut in 2006, Gumpert has developed four different versions of the Apollo, including the recently debuted 2010 Apollo Sport that made its first appearance at last year’s Geneva Auto Show.

In the six years since its debut, Gumpert has gone from the Apollo to the 2010 Apollo Sport, an impressive run of supercars that has become a fashionable name in the industry, giving Gumpert all the validation he needed when he said that he wanted to build his own supercar on his own terms.

Details on the Gumpert Apollo after the jump.

Gumpert Apollo originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 3 May 2011 13:00 EST.

Video: Gumpert Apollo burns up the Monza circuit in Italy

Kirby@topspeed.com(Kirby) — Tue, 8 Mar 2011 10:00:00 GMT

Just in case you’ve forgotten about this 800-horsepower blue devil, You Tube’s Marchettino has gone ahead and released a video of the incomparable Gumpert Apollo doing what it does best in its natural habitat: hitting up the Monza circuit in Italy for a couple of flying laps.

According to Marchettino, this particular Apollo is the only one of its kind in Italy, a bit surprising considering that the country is well known for having some of the fastest and most powerful machines on the planet. Be that as it may, watching the Apollo run roughshod over Monza reminded us just how fast and powerful this German wonder car really is.

Be advised that the ‘standard’ – looser words have never been spoken - Gumpert Apollo is powered by an Audi-sourced 4.2-liter bi-turbo V8 engine that produces 650 horsepower with the Sport trim checking out at 700 horsepower.

This particular model, though, has been modified to produce a staggering 800 horsepower and as the video clearly shows you, all that power coming out from the Apollo is definitely a sight to behold.

Video: Gumpert Apollo burns up the Monza circuit in Italy originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 8 March 2011 10:00 EST.

Toyota MR2 turned into a Gumpert Apollo!

Simona@topspeed.com(Simona) — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 06:00:00 GMT

While everyone is waiting for the next generation Toyota MR2, a guy decided to turn his into a Gumpert Apollo. We’ve seen lots of replicas, but this one is one of the strangest ones!

This is a one-of-a-kind (thank God!) concept, featuring a Toyota MR2 frame along with the modern conveniences of airbags, power windows, power locks, air conditioning, exhaust, and suspension.

Of course, you guessed it, under the hood there is nothing compared to the Audi-sourced 4.2-liter, twin-turbo V8 with 650HP from the Apollo! Instead the owner used a four-cylinder turbo engine, dynoded at 255 whp at 15 psi and 303 whp at around 19 psi. The car meets all regulations and is extremely economical in term of gasoline.

The interior combines black suede leather with red piping and Racing Sparco seats with Racing Harnesses - also in a combination of black and red.

The car is for sale on eBay with a current bid of $12,100.

Toyota MR2 turned into a Gumpert Apollo! originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 26 June 2010 06:00 EST.

Gumpert Apollo Sport

Simona@topspeed.com(Simona) — Wed, 3 Mar 2010 14:21:00 GMT

Gumpert unveiled the new 2010 Apollo Sport supercar today at the Geneva Motor Show. The new supercar will be offered in two versions: black and white. The Apollo Sport is powered by a 750 hp engine (an increase of 50 hp over the previous version) mated to a 6-speed sequential transmission that can now shift in a mere 40 milliseconds, with faster gear changes thanks to rocker switches on the steering wheel.

The 2010 Apollo Sports gets a new designed front and tail, LED daytime running lights, a completely re-designed flap-controlled exhaust system and flaps in the tail area.

Image via Flickr.

Press release after the jump.

Gumpert Apollo Sport originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 3 March 2010 14:21 EST.

Video:Gumpert Apollo Sport blazing through the Nurburgring in 7:11

Kirby@topspeed.com(Kirby) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Yesterday, we featured the Gumpert Apollo Sport setting a road-production car lap record at the Nurburgring with a time of 7:11.57. The time, which was set by Florian Gruber, proved that the Apollo Sport is one mean driving machine. Today, we have the a video of the ‘record-setting’ lap, courtesy of our good friends at Sport Auto.

There, of course, remains some scepticism as to whether or not the Apollo Sport did break the record especially considering that the Radical SR8, another car that falls into the category of ‘road-production vehicle’, blasted through the same track at 6:55 four years ago.

But that’s a debate for another time. We’re here to acknowledge the achievement of the folks from Gumpert. Record or not, a time of 7:11.57 by a road-production car at the extremely demanding Nurburgring Nordscheif is an accomplishment in every sense of the word.

Press release after the jump.

Video:Gumpert Apollo Sport blazing through the Nurburgring in 7:11 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 20 August 2009 12:00 EST.

Gumpert Apollo Sport runs the 'Ring in 7:11

Terence@topspeed.com(Terence) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:00:00 GMT

When former member of the Volkswagen Family, Roland Gumpert decided to leave the marque back in 2004 in order to create his own interpretation of the track ready and road legal super car he was out to make a statement. His current creation is powered by a 700 HP version of Audi’s bi-turbo 4.2 Liter V8, the Gumpert Apollo can go from 0 to 120 MPH in just 8.9 seconds and has a top speed just shy of 225 MPH. However if you want to be taken seriously as a super car manufacturer, you need more than just straight line performance. That is why back on August 13th, Roland hired 26 year old driver Florian Gruber to pilot an Apollo Sport around the Nurburgring, the young racing driver crossed the line in exactly 7 minutes and 11.57 seconds. Setting a new record for a production car around the Nordschleif.

The new record is over 10 seconds faster than the Viper SRT-10 ACR that is currently in third and a full 15 seconds ahead of the Nissan GT-R/Porsche 911 Turbo conspiracy. It is even faster than the upcoming Lexus LF-A around the ’Ring. If you can think about it in racing terms, if you can compare the lap times between an F1 car and the similarly shaped Indy car at the 2.71 mile, 15 turn Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal where both cars race. Sebastien Bourdais was able to win pole position in the Indy car with a time of 1:20.396 while Jenson Button won the pole in his F1 car with a lap time of 1:15.217. In this instance 5 seconds is the difference between night and day, a racing engineer would kill for that kind of advantage; and we are talking about a few hundred horse power and a couple hundred pounds difference. So spread that around the 12.9 mile Nordschleife circuit complete with its 33 left and 40 right turns; completing a lap in only 7:11 is quite an impressive feat.

Press release after the jump.

Gumpert Apollo Sport runs the 'Ring in 7:11 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 19 August 2009 15:00 EST.

Gumpert Apollo Speed prototype spied testing at the Nurburgring

Simona@topspeed.com(Simona), Terence@topspeed.com(Terence) — Thu, 2 Jul 2009 16:00:00 GMT

The latest edition of the funky looking track day specials from Germany, the Gumpert Apollo Speed, a car that is scheduled to make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show next March. Looking like they are on schedule, the first set of prototypes have been caught testing at Nurburgring, so a final production version cannot be too far off.

The Apollo Speed is powered by a 4.2 Liter V8 engine with 5 valves per cylinder that delivers 700 HP and a peak torque of 645 lb ft of torque. The engine is mated to a sequential six-speed gearbox with full synchronization and sufficient oil cooling. The race spec twin plate clutch configuration keeps the rotating mass low, robbing less power from the Audi sourced power plant.

The Gumpert can go from 0 to 60 MPH in under three seconds, hit 200 km/h (124 MPH) after just 8.9 seconds and won’t stop until it hits a top speed of 223 MPH. The editorial staff is waiting for a Gumpert to arrive in the Top Speed test fleet, we’ll keep you pasted as to how it goes.

Gumpert Apollo Speed prototype spied testing at the Nurburgring originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 2 July 2009 16:00 EST.

Gumpert Apollo Speed

Simona@topspeed.com(Simona) — Wed, 4 Mar 2009 07:44:00 GMT

Gumpert revealed at the Geneva Motor Show the most powerful Apollo ever. The Apollo Speed is powered by a 4,163 cm3 V8 engine with 5 valves per cylinder that delivers 700 HP at 6,500 rpm and a peak torque of 645,3 lb ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a sequential six-speed gearbox with synchronization and oil cooling, twin plate clutch configuration.

The car can go from standing still to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.0 seconds. A speed of 200 km/h (124 mph) is reached in just 8.9 seconds. His maximum speed is over 360 km/h (223 mph).

Press release after the jump.

Gumpert Apollo Speed originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 4 March 2009 07:44 EST.

Gumpert Apollo Speed to be revealed in Geneva

Simona@topspeed.com(Simona), Myles Kornblatt@topspeed.com(Myles Kornblatt) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 09:00:00 GMT

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.

Press release after the jump.

Gumpert Apollo Speed to be revealed in Geneva originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 13 February 2009 09:00 EST.

Gumpert ups Apollo production in 2009

Simona@topspeed.com(Simona), Myles Kornblatt@topspeed.com(Myles Kornblatt) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:00:00 GMT

Posted on 12.16.2008 18:00 by Myles Kornblatt
Filed under: Gumpert | sports cars | Gumpert Apollo | Cars | Car News

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.

Gumpert ups Apollo production in 2009 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 16 December 2008 18:00 EST.

Gumpert Apollo coming to the U.S.

Myles Kornblatt@topspeed.com(Myles Kornblatt) — Tue, 9 Sep 2008 11:22:00 GMT

Gumpert Apollo- Fastest New Supercar?

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.

Gumpert Apollo coming to the U.S. originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 9 September 2008 11:22 EST.

Gumpert Apollo, new fastest car on Top Gear track

Myles Kornblatt@topspeed.com(Myles Kornblatt) — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:25:00 GMT

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.

Gumpert Apollo, new fastest car on Top Gear track originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 13 August 2008 14:25 EST.

Gumpert Apollo hybrid racing version

Simona@topspeed.com(Simona) — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:48:00 GMT

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.

Gumpert Apollo hybrid racing version originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 23 May 2008 13:48 EST.