Gemballa is a name known well for its attention-grabbing work with modified Porsches. Well, now there's a new Gemballa, specifically Marc Philipp Gemballa, son of Uwe, also making crazy Porsches. Entirely new, unaffiliated company, though you can see the confusing similarities. Anyway, as a marker of intent, Marc Philipp Gemballa has teased a new car, seemingly inspired by the 959 Rally car that competed at Dakar.
The image just released shows little more than a light bar, rear wing and what we presume are vents for a rear-mounted engine. Gemballa’s longstanding ties to Stuttgart neighbour Porsche means it’s likely to use underpinnings from the current line-up. We’re thinking of a 992-based, 959-aping off-roader; it would certainly fit the bill for a headline-maker at Geneva. Although MP Gemballa has said that it’s leaving the “era of tuning behind”, we have been assured that the car will still receive a power boost - jolly good.
Although no doubt that’s specifically in reference to engine work, because anything described as a supercar that can go off road is probably subject to extensive work elsewhere. MP Gemballa explained in its announcement that two years of preparation has included work with suspension specialist KW Automotive, creating an adventure capable vehicle “no matter where in the world, no matter what the terrain, no matter what the climate or road conditions”. The project is said to have already attracted orders from clients.
Exact details will be released when the covers are pulled off next week in Geneva, when we’ll also have a better idea of what Gembella junior’s business plans for the future look like. Given the brand cache and a seemingly never-ending demand for ultra-expensive, low-run models, it’s probably safe to say there’s more to come in the pipeline. Which for fans of ultra-mad performance cars, will probably come as welcome news.
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