Gumpert->ke1055 hasn’t exactly had the smoothest history in its 12 short years of existence. The brand developed several variants of the Apollo->ke1056, but it apparently couldn’t make enough money off of its hypercars because, in August of 2013, the company filed bankruptcy. Oddly enough, Gumpert didn’t actually go under and spent the next year deloping the 2015 Gumpert Explosion – a model that debuted at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show->ke228. The car was nothing like the models that came before it, featuring a coupe layout and a look like a BMW M6->ke208 had a love child with a Mitsubishi Eclipse->ke251. It had track-inspired aerodynamics, centrally positioned cabin and a 2.0-liter engine. Don’t let the displacement fool you, though – this little sports->ke506 coupe->ke141 came with 420 horsepower and 383 pound-feet on tap.

Gumpert was eventually purchased by Idea Team Venture, the same brand that also owns De Tomaso->ke27, which led to the Apollo Arrow that debuted in 2016 at the Geneva Auto Show. While the Explosion wasn’t exactly the same cup of tea that we normally get from Gumpert – it’s not exactly a name you expect to pair with something that is less than 800 horsepower – it was a pretty wild move to keep the company alive. Keep in mind; this isn’t your every-day German sports coupe. That little 2.0-liter was enough to push this baby to 60 mph in all of three seconds.

So, now that you know a little about the Gumpert Explosion, keep reading to learn about all the fine details. It really isn’t a bad proposition for a car priced a little higher than $112,000.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Gumpert Explosion.

Exterior

Unlike the mid-engined Apollo, which was designed with track performance in mind, hence the low ground clearance and the massive rear wings, the Explosion is a little more of a conventional sports coupe in terms of its dimensions.

The front end looks incredible, specifically how Gumpert was able to integrate the bumpers with the pair of large intakes on both sides of the fascia. Distinctive-looking headlights, and a tier-like hood add to the visual appeal of the Explosion, while the rear end gets a similar airflow-centric design.

The car's front looks completely flat when viewed from the sides, but the face of the Explosion speaks to how sporty and aggressive this coupe is when unleashed on the road.

Interior

The interior of the Explosion won't wow anybody, but it does come in a black-red, two-tone leather finish that can be seen as a continuation of the its exterior colors. Everything also looks to be in the right place, although a quick glance at the center console made us wonder if Gumpert is offering an infotainment system as an added option. Without that, the cabin looks nowhere near as awesome as the exterior design of the sports car.

Drivetrain

The Gumpert Explosion carries a 2.0-liter, turbocharge four-cylinder engine, which may seem a little small for the automaker, but its 420 horsepower at 6,540 rpm and 383 pound-feet of torque at 4,550 rpm quickly negate that thought. The engine is mated to either a six-cog, paddle-shifted auto or a six-speed manual, and power heads out to all four wheels.Gumpert stopped short of giving up the top speed numbers, but considering that the Explosion can reach 60 mph in just three seconds, we sense a peak speed of somewhere around 185 mph.

2014 Gumpert Explosion - Drivetrain Specifications

Prices

Gumpert is planning a first run of Explosion models for later this year at a price of €105,000 ($145,000), far more affordable than the Apollo.

Competition

2013 Aston Martin V8 Vantage

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is powered by a V-8 engine that delivers a total of 430 horsepower at 7,300 rpm and 361 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a Sportshift II, close-ratio, seven-speed automated manual transmission.

The V8 Vantage S is priced at $142,000.

2013 Maserati GranTurismo S

The Maserati GranTurismo S gets a 4.7-liter, V-8 engine that delivers a total of 460 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. When it comes to its looks, both the Gran Turismo S and the Explosion have unique styling traits to themselves, with each featuring a sporty and aggressive stance while maintaining a unique appearance.

The Maserati GranTurismo S is priced at around $126,000.

Conclusion

The Gumpert Explosion gets high marks for looking like an absolute stud. That and the impressive powertrain gives us reason to hope that Gumpert's financial difficulties are finally behind it. The interior needs some work, however, especially if it wants to compete with the likes of the Vantage and the GranTurismo. But overall, the Explosion is everything its name suggests: an explosive new ride from the company that knows what its doing.