Monday 14th November 2005

Gumpert Apollo production starts

Is 650bhp and 0-60mph in 3 secs enough?

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The Audi-based German supercar, the Gumpert Apollo, is just starting production.

Twelve cars have reportedly already been ordered, and the company plans to produce some 50 to 60 cars next year. The Apollo uses Audi's 4.2-litre V8 as found in the previous generation S8, with two huge KKK turbochargers, generating 650bhp and 597lb-ft of torque at 5,000rpm. Performance is 0-60mph in just three seconds with a top speed of 232mph. These big numbers have yet to be independently verified but the diminutive car -- it's about the size of a Lamborghini Gallardo -- is said to weigh just under 1,000Kg. This gives it a power-to-weight ratio that's said to be better than most supercars, including the Enzo, Carrera GT and McLaren F1.

Transmission to the rear wheels is via a DSG, with power on the road delivered by 19-inch wheels shod with 255/35 Pirelli P-Zeros at the front and 345/35s at the rear.

It's got huge aerodynamic downforce, according to some reports -- about 1,000Kg at 224mph -- from venturis and diffusers. Bodywork can be made from GRP or carbon-fibre, depending on the owner's preference.

The car will costs some €198,000 (about £133,000) which is not bad for that level of performance.

[Adam B]

impressive weight given that engine

shame its so damn ugly (that picture angle is the most flattering)

[stig]

But why would you pay twice the price, for poorer performance than an Ultima?

Fugly car too.

[bosshog]

I dunno.
I'm getting really fed up with all these supercars that only 0.00000000001 of people get to drive.
How abot manufactures making cars that the rest of 99.99999999999999 of us can actually afford to own and drive..

[chrisjl]

That front splitter's a bit O.T.T. - they're obviously very keen for all the air hitting the front of the car to go up and over.

[DustyC]

I saw one at the 'ring. Its a fantastic car and in the flesh not ugly at all IMO.
Sounded as good as its figures.

posted a couple of pics here
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=210437

[DustyC]

bosshog said:

I dunno. I'm getting really fed up with all these supercars that only 0.00000000001 of people get to drive. How abot manufactures making cars that the rest of 99.99999999999999 of us can actually afford to own and drive..

I think you are perhaps on the wrong website. How about trying this one
www.btinternet.com/~madmole/

[FestivAli]

It's probably just me, but I see a tiny bit of Rosemeyer concept in those lines. looking at the pics DustyC posted, its small. Name sucks a bit though. Sorry Mr. Gumpert, but it sounds like a way of frowning. Oh well...

Ali.

[dans_fx]

bosshog said:

I dunno. I'm getting really fed up with all these supercars that only 0.00000000001 of people get to drive. How abot manufactures making cars that the rest of 99.99999999999999 of us can actually afford to own and drive..

I think you will find that car would be the Ford Focus or if you would like to stick with the same engine type, what about an Audi A3...

[bosshog]

DustyC said:

bosshog said: I dunno. I'm getting really fed up with all these supercars that only 0.00000000001 of people get to drive. How abot manufactures making cars that the rest of 99.99999999999999 of us can actually afford to own and drive.. I think you are perhaps on the wrong website. How about trying this one www.btinternet.com/~madmole/

Don't be an idiot all your life

[bosshog]

dans_fx said:

bosshog said: I dunno. I'm getting really fed up with all these supercars that only 0.00000000001 of people get to drive. How abot manufactures making cars that the rest of 99.99999999999999 of us can actually afford to own and drive.. I think you will find that car would be the Ford Focus or if you would like to stick with the same engine type, what about an Audi A3...

And that's my point - above 30,000 you have a fantastic collection of cars to choose from - but below that there are not *that* many to choose from. Why don't manufactures whether mainstream or independent go for the larger market and create cars for the enthusiast.

[_VTEC_]

stig said:

But why would you pay twice the price, for poorer performance than an Ultima? Fugly car too.

Now, that is a good point. I can't argue with that.

[DustyC]

bosshog said:

DustyC said: bosshog said: I dunno. I'm getting really fed up with all these supercars that only 0.00000000001 of people get to drive. How abot manufactures making cars that the rest of 99.99999999999999 of us can actually afford to own and drive.. I think you are perhaps on the wrong website. How about trying this one www.btinternet.com/~madmole/ Don't be an idiot all your life

Well excuse me Mr Serious but this is an article about a new, very small, car manufacturer that only make supercars that appeal to a certain market. If you dont like it go and read something about cars that do appeal to you.

Its just like the people that buy evo magazine and then complain about all the supercars in it.
If you dont like it, don't read it!

Plus if it was available to everyone to drive then it wouldn't be worthy of the term supercar.

There are plenty of fast cars available under £30K.
And if you go second hand then there are plenty more.

[DustyC]

_VTEC_ said:

stig said: But why would you pay twice the price, for poorer performance than an Ultima? Fugly car too. Now, that is a good point. I can't argue with that.

I can.
It makes even an Ultima look dull.

[GTRene]

I like some angle's of that car! its a bit extreem just like the Lambo countach was in his days...
I stil like the Ultima GTR also because its cheaper, but I like the engine set up from the Gumpert Apollo(don't like that stupid name though) and some details!!look at the shock set ups! like F1 and expensive race cars! also some looks I like!like to see it for real to diside, I gues it wil be a more reliable(egine and some stuf) then a Ultima in standard form, but ofcorse you can make the Ultima GTR also in other specs, so it can be as good I gues...
Here some more pics from different angle's and colors(gumpert apollo) the better could rename it in lets say, BULL FIGHTER (they could do a contest of rename that car?)

www.motorcities.com/photo/view/05K6N483110520A.jpeg/0/

René

>> Edited by GTRene on Monday 14th November 16:53

[Gruffy]

It's the most vulgar car since the Countach. I love it. Have you heard one? It sounded like Armageddon charging up the hill at Goodwood.

Gruffy

[GTRene]

Gruffy said:

It's the most vulgar car since the Countach. I love it. Have you heard one? It sounded like Armageddon charging up the hill at Goodwood. Gruffy

I haven't heard one..but I soon hope to hear one when I go to the Nurnbergring in Germany, hope I see and hear one then but more the that like to feel how it drive's

[peterpsg]

I'd like to see some more photos before I made up my mind.

Currently the front looks like a hybrid between a max powered Nissan skyline and a Mazda RX8.

The air intake is a little to 'peaky' for my liking, and doesn't really suit the car, where as the one on my Ultima (GTR) blends in a bit nicer.

It has potential, but, needs a little bit more work in my mind.

Hopefully it'll help push Ted and co to develop a 'newer' styled Ultima.

But, at twice the price of a factory built Ultima or more than 3 times the price of a self built one, I have to ask why - only if you really like the shape - just like the Mosler...

If they offer a Kit Version, at a suitably reduced price...

my £0.02

[604]

bosshog said:

And that's my point - above 30,000 you have a fantastic collection of cars to choose from - but below that there are not *that* many to choose from. Why don't manufactures whether mainstream or independent go for the larger market and create cars for the enthusiast.

I disagree with that for under or around 30K you can get cars like the 350Z or MX-5 Miata which are equally entertaining sports cars in everyday life... and if you crave a big engine... go for a Mustang GT (price hovers around 30K)... If anything we should all be happy such cars are affordable because its sorta like the best of both worlds - can be daily drivers and true sports cars as well

now... WOW! I think this Gumpert Apollo looks freakin serious. I LOVE it already. Plus I thought the name had a cool ring to it... the "Gumpert Apollo"... sounds, well, cool...

[GTRene]

peterpsg said:

I'd like to see some more photos before I made up my mind. Currently the front looks like a hybrid between a max powered Nissan skyline and a Mazda RX8. The air intake is a little to 'peaky' for my liking, and doesn't really suit the car, where as the one on my Ultima (GTR) blends in a bit nicer. It has potential, but, needs a little bit more work in my mind. Hopefully it'll help push Ted and co to develop a 'newer' styled Ultima.

The air intake they need at high speeds to catch cool air for the chargecooler see the pics on their site and info! where the car can be seen, it was also at the MPH in London? and other shows, see this link of them, with lots of info! nice detailed!
www.gumpert.de/

It also has a DSG gearbox! cool...
René


>> Edited by GTRene on Monday 14th November 17:27

[mybrainhurts]

Hi there...what are you driving these days.....?

A Gumpert......

'Nuff said...........


It's times like this that make you thankful Alistair Darling doesn't make cars.....


or Blunkett......