Monday 4th April 2016

Apex - the story of the hypercar: Review

New documentary explores the myth and legend of the hypercar, with help from some familiar faces

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There have been many significant milestones in the evolution of going very fast. From Jaguar XK120 to Lamborghini Miura, Ferrari Testarossa and a host more, it's been a flat-out race to the 200mph supercar era (heralded by the Ferrari F40) and then beyond into the 1,000hp and 250mph realm of the Bugatti Veyron.

Now, created by the team behind the /DRIVE network, Apex records a new chapter in automotive history. It follows Christian von Koenigsegg in his quest to create the Koenigsegg One:1, the first Megawatt car (a car with a 1:1 power to weight ratio). Featuring contributions from Chris Harris, Alex Roy, Mike Spinelli, Dan Neil and Travis Okulski, plus input from the manufacturers themselves, there's insight galore.

Starting with the question: 'what is a hypercar?' the pundits discuss the move from sports car to supercar to hypercar. With the old guard challenged by the likes of Pagani and Koenigsegg we are transported behind the scenes of both, new-school filming techniques honed on YouTube - including POV driving shots - putting you in the driving seat like never before.

The documentary plays off the contrasting ideologies of the featured marques as their founders discuss the differences between aesthetics and engineering. Horacio Pagani talks of an obsession held from childhood with cars designed to go fast without sacrificing beauty, this carried through in the blend of emotive design and incredible performance found in the cars carrying his name. In contrast he believes Koenigsegg builds incredible machines, albeit with an emphasis more firmly on outright speed. It is clear the design philosophies of both men are deep-rooted, shaped inextricably by childhood experiences and influences.

Things are changing though as Dan Greenawalt, Creative Director of Turn 10 Studios, explains. Pagani and Koenigsegg's generation were brought up staring at posters of cars on their bedroom walls. The next generation don't have to daydream but instead have the opportunity to virtually race their fantasy cars around circuits both real and imagined. Apex's inclusion of the gaming community serves to remind us there is more need than ever to inspire the younger generation the way posters on the wall and dog-eared magazines did an earlier one.

Thought-provoking, beautifully filmed and thrilling viewing, Apex is a must-see for any petrolhead; moreover, it boasts production values and insight that give it broader appeal. OK, maybe not a first date movie but one you might just about slip into the domestic viewing schedule if you play your cards right!

Apex is available to download now from iTunes and Vimeo.

Watch the trailer here.
 

[JMF894]

Just thought I'd get the first post in............

[dandarez]

Thought I'd just get the second one in...

'APEX - The Inside Story of the Hillman Imp'

APEX was the code name for the Imp. So there!

[Atmospheric]

This will probably be a compilation if things we already knew.

[Magic919]

£7 if anyone was wondering.

[jakeb]

I dont have an itune (whatever one of those is)

Why make it so difficult...........

[Krobar]

Where's the Bluray?

[epom]

Looks like it's gonna be a great watch :-)

[rtz62]

Hmmm, you have to pay to watch it?
Exactly the same reason then why I won't be watching the new Clarkson, May & Hammond programmes, I consider that paying for a TV Licence (daylight robbery), Sky and BT Sport is more than enough.
Sorry, but I'm out.
And whilst I'm out I'll be able to look up everything i didn't already know about said HyperCars by re-reading magazines or trawling through Internet content.
I

[RacerMike]

jakeb said:

I dont have an itune (whatever one of those is)

Why make it so difficult...........

Greetings from the future Jakeb. I'm sure the scary inter web has caused you to have a nervous break down by now, but in case you are able to read this on your browsing device, it's possible to downloaded things that enable you to watch videos! Think of it as buying a VCR (scary thought I know), only.....wait for it, you get it for free! The only thing you pay for is the movies you're buying! And the best bit? You can effectively return it if you don't like it. For free! Incredible.

[johnfm]

rtz62 said:

Hmmm, you have to pay to watch it?
Exactly the same reason then why I won't be watching the new Clarkson, May & Hammond programmes, I consider that paying for a TV Licence (daylight robbery), Sky and BT Sport is more than enough.
Sorry, but I'm out.
And whilst I'm out I'll be able to look up everything i didn't already know about said HyperCars by re-reading magazines or trawling through Internet content.
I

Can we all assume, given your attitude, that you work for free?

[jakeb]

RacerMike said:

jakeb said:

I dont have an itune (whatever one of those is)

Why make it so difficult...........

Greetings from the future Jakeb. I'm sure the scary inter web has caused you to have a nervous break down by now, but in case you are able to read this on your browsing device, it's possible to downloaded things that enable you to watch videos! Think of it as buying a VCR (scary thought I know), only.....wait for it, you get it for free! The only thing you pay for is the movies you're buying! And the best bit? You can effectively return it if you don't like it. For free! Incredible.

Thanks! I actually own an IT company but I don't want to have to download a load of apple ste, have to have an apple id with a password I can't remember, back up the world and his wife to an apple cloud etc just to watch a movie Added to this I don't own any apple devices

I thought the world had moved on and things should be easy. Isn't there a way you can pay to watch something on youtube/vimeo??

https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/3249127?...

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/startselling

Edited by jakeb on Sunday 3rd April 08:15

[sisu]

I get the feeling that some people are replying thus..

[vincegail]

Watched it on Vimeo yesterday. Vimeo app connected to Chromecast, Chromecast to receiver to TV, works a treat!
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/apex/160488675

Although it was a good watch, didn't learn me much new stuff. About 95% I already knew and read.

[jakeb]

vincegail said:

Watched it on Vimeo yesterday. Vimeo app connected to Chromecast, Chromecast to receiver to TV, works a treat!
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/apex/160488675

Although it was a good watch, didn't learn me much new stuff. About 95% I already knew and read.

Much more sensible.......

[kmpowell]

Krobar said:

Where's the Bluray?

Back in the last decade where they belong.

[jason61c]

They'll be a few 'free' links within the next 24 hours, if not already.

[Joeguard1990]

jakeb said:

Much more sensible.......

I thought you owned an IT company...? I'm sure one of your employees knows a way to get this for free

[Joeguard1990]

kmpowell said:

Back in the last decade where they belong.

Keep up mate, we're on 4K now.

[ian in lancs]

superb film, really enjoyed it

[ACTS030]

Seemed like a "my first supercar guide" to be honest. I can't imagine many users on here wouldn't have already known most of what was shown on this. The Koenigsegg bit and the seemingly dodgy politics at play was a highlight as were the stunning camerawork and visuals. It'd be good for the casual car fan but it's a bit shallow to be truly interesting in my opinion.