Gumpert Apollo

Production period:	2005 to 2016
Class :	sports car
Body versions :	Coupe
Engines:	Gasoline  :4.2 liters (478-633 kW)
Length:	4460 mm
Width:	1998 mm
Height:	1114 mm
Wheelbase :	2700 mm
Curb weight :	1100-1200 kg

The Apollo is a supercar produced by the Gumpert sports car manufacturer in Altenburg . The sports car has both the street legal and various racing approvals such as the FIA ​​GT.

History 

R1 project when it began in 2002. The plan was to construct a road race car. In the same year, a 1:4 model was made based on the designs of Marco Vanetta, who completed this design project as a diploma thesis at the University of Munich under the supervision of Othmar Wickenheiser. Roland Gumpert, the former Audi Motorsport boss, was the driving force behind the idea. The initial models and sketches were shown to the public in 2003, shortly after the manufactory was founded. The price per piece was then estimated at 115,000 to 175,000 euros. Three different engines were initially planned, a V8 base with 279 kW (360 hp), a V8 supercharger with 338 kW (460 hp) and a V8 biturbo with 478 kW (650 hp).

The first Apollo prototype built in Ingolstadt was completed in 2004. In contrast to the big corporations, the manufactory used the prototype not only for tests but also for advertising measures in order to promote the project. During a promotion trip with a journalist, the first prototype crashed and was so badly damaged that it had to be rebuilt. Another prototype was completed during the same period. With the red prototype, the Belgian racing driver Ruben Maes drove in March 2005 at the Divinol Cup at the Hockenheimring straight away to third place.

The pre-production model was presented in 2005. It showed the Apollo largely in its final form. Differences to the prototypes were, among other things, that this model now had a monocoque , the gullwing doors opened to the middle of the roof and the diffuser and the front lip were downsized. The cockpit was already disguised, but until the start of production it was again extensively revised.

The official series production start was on December 21, 2005 in Altenburg . The production line was designed for about 60 vehicles per year. The price of the Apollo amounted to the start of production 198,000 euros without taxes. The car could be assembled due to the manual work according to individual wishes. Since the concept provided that it is a street-legal race car, the basic equipment for saving weight was initially very limited. Thus, among other air conditioning and navigation system was waived, this could be installed but the customer if desired.Despite the individual assembly of the Apollo, the sports car manufacturer also offered packages. In addition to the basic version, there was a racing version. This included, for example, an air lift and an engine extinguishing system. From 2007 Gumpert also offered a sports version, which placed between the racing version and the basic version. 

The non-self-supporting body is based on a tubular frame. This consists of around 200 welded together tubes made of chromium-molybdenum steel with tube diameters of 25, 35 and 45 mm and a wall thickness of the tubes of 1 to 2 mm. Within the frame is the 23 kg lightweight monocoque, which ensures further safety. These two components can withstand accelerations up to 50G. At the front of the trellis frame is a crash box, which deforms in an accident and absorbs most of the impact energy. The body is either made of glass or carbon fiber reinforced plastic. According to the sports car manufacturer, the body is aerodynamically optimized so that from a speed of 270 km / h, the contact pressure generated the weight would correspond so that the ground effect could carry the weight of the car. This means that the Apollo could drive on the ceiling. 

The basic equipment of the Apollo 478 kW (650 hp) with a maximum torque of 850 Nm at 4500 / min. Furthermore, engines with 551 kW (750 hp) or 588 kW (800 hp) are available. Power is transmitted via a sequential 6-speed gearbox. The sports package (Apollo Sport / Apollo S) presented in Geneva at the 2007 Motor Show includes the 515 kW (700 hp) power unit, the rear wing and an air lifting system (Airjack); the 588 kW engine is available in the Apollo Race. The basis of the various engines is based on a 4.2-liter V8 engine from Audi, but only the engine block, the interior was made specifically for the Apollo.

The vehicle is fitted with Pirelli tires of size 255/35 on 10 × 19 inch wheels (front) and 345/55 on 13 × 19 inch wheels (rear) or with Michelin tires of dimension 265/30 (front) and 345/30 (rear) on 19-inch wheels. For the deceleration, the vehicle has ventilated, slotted discs with a diameter of 380 mm and 6-piston fixed calipers in conjunction with ABS.

In 2009, the Gumpert Sportmanufaktur showed for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show the model variant Apollo Speed. In contrast to the other model variants, this is not geared to fast cornering, but to acceleration and top speed. To achieve this, the Apollo Speed ​​was lowered by nine millimeters and the aerodynamics improved. So the line around the wheel arches was changed, there were fixed rim covers in front and co-rotating at the rear wheels, an adjustable rear wing and a disguised underbody. Particularly striking in comparison to the other model variants were the taillights.

In 2010, the Apollo got a slight facelift on the front and rear. Thus, the air inlets were widened and changed the wheel arch. In addition, the Apollo now had LED daytime running lights. The most noticeable change at the rear was the flap exhaust with four tailpipes. Inside, the monocoque has been enlarged to give more space to the driver and front passenger. The engine with 700 hp, which was mainly installed in the sports version, got through optimized engine control, new recirculation valves and improved cooling 50 hp more and it currently has a power of 551 kW.

In 2012, the Apollo R was presented, a pure racing car with up to 633 kW. The special edition Apollo enraged, however, was limited to just three pieces, made 574 kW, making it the strongest street-legal Apollo ever produced. 

Due to the insolvency of the sports car manufacturer, production was discontinued in 2013. The new owner announced in early 2014 to resume production at another location, which did not happen. Finally, the rights to the Apollo were resold to an investor from Hong Kong. At the Geneva Motor Show 2016, a revised version of the Apollo was introduced with the familiar 4.2-liter V8 engine. As part of the renaming of the company it should under the name Apollo N are sold. It never came to a production start.