Slick Audi-Powered German Supercar Hits the Street

Motoring Channel Staff - 21/Mar/2006

Weighing 1100kg and powered by a pre FSI era 5-valve V8, the Apollo is a German super car in every sense - except one. It aims to be the most cost effective street warrior on the market.

When we say "cost effective", that means it'll only cost you about $300,000, instead of $600k or even more.

When the owner of German tuner, MTM, combined forced with Audi's head of motorsport, Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur GmbH was founded and the Apollo is an exciting first foray into the world of automotive dream machines.

Using an Audi 4.2-litre V8, with 5-valves per cylinder, quad camshafts, hydraulic valve clearance compensation and a double-flow exhaust system, Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur GmbH, the company behind the vehicle, engineered a pair of turbochargers into the equation which gives rise to an inordinate amount of torque - and enough straight-line shuffle to challenge the fastest cars in the world, from marques such as Koenigsegg, Ferrari, Bugatti and Lamborghini.

The aggressive-looking super sports car generates 850Nm of torque @ 4500rpm and with 478kW @ 6000rpm, this lightweight GT doesn't have to rev hard to reach its maximum potential.

With a redline of 7400rpm, the 641 horsepower Gumpert Apollo will hit 100km/h from standstill in 3.0 seconds, which is about the same time it takes for the images on this page to load on an average broadband setup. Not quite the speed of light, but very quick nevertheless.

Furthermore, it will charge from 0-200km/h in 8.9 seconds and has a top speed of 360km/h, or about 224mph.

As the Altenburg-based company explains, the challenge was to develop a super sports car with outstanding road performance, combining style and functionality, but at a price that could not be matched by any other car in this ultra exclusive class.

The Apollo is a turbo boosted, mid-engined 2-seater sports car with a sequential 6-speed gearbox (twin clutch DSG configuration) driving the rear wheels, and featuring an LSD. 

It is built upon a chrome molybdenum chassis with an integrated carbon monocoque safety cell, and is balanced on long double wishbones with a fully adjustable suspension system and an aerodynamical design (optimised in a wind tunnel) with a full length underbody incorporating massive diffusers (front/rear). 

A dual circuit ABS brake system with 6-piston callipers all around with 380mm disc brakes provides for enormous braking performance.

The Gumpert company suggests that the Apollo is a purist vehicle offering a unique driving experience on the road and the potential of success on the race circuit. The rigid chassis and the efficient aerodynamics of the bodywork provide for ultra precise and predictable handling even at maximum speed.

The driving force behind German Gumpert Sportwagenmanufaktur (Manufacturer of Sports Cars) is the founder and managing director Roland Gumpert. You may have heard of him from his years at Audi where he led the development of the first 4- wheel drive car ‘Iltis’ - forefather for the Audi quattros.

Among other responsibilities, Roland was in charge of the Audi Sports Department and achieved 25 victories at World Championship Rallies and won 4 World Rally Championship titles with Hannu Mikkola (1983) and the famous Stig Blomqvist (1984) and the constructors championship in 1982 and ‘83. Naturally, success at major motor sport championships is an objective for the Apollo’s near future.

Roland Mayer, the owner of German tuner MTM, is the other half of the operation, who joined forces with Gumpert to create the Apollo - and who knows what next? Probably these two.

Sitting on racey 19-inch aluminium wheel rims, the Apollo has the looks to match its fierce performance, shod with 255/35 ZR19 rubber at the front and 345/35 ZR19 rubber at the rear, the latter of which will be under continual punishment thanks to the 850Nm of torque that arrives at 4500rpm. Measuring 4.46 metres in length, this German super car is not the longest in the class, but is up there with the widest, at almost 2.0 metres, or 1998mm. Because of its speed requirements, the vehicle is obviously quite low to the ground, with its roof 1105mm tall at its highest point.

Looking like a delightfully angry Le Mans race car hybrid, the idea for the Apollo came about three years ago. Gumpert explains that they wanted to create a new sports car that combined the highest dynamics with unmatched driving capabilities, something that could be a street-legal road car and ready for racing on the track as well. While many car makers already do this, Gumpert wanted to be one of the fastest, and that it is with a stunning 3.0 seconds 0-100km/h sprint time.

The company says that the griffin is the chosen symbol for the new brand, which is emblazoned on the Apollo. The griffin is a mythological creature with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle that is a symbol for strength and velocity, something the new German super car has in abundance.

Gumpert plans to build about 30 Apollos per annum, and sources much of its parts from Audi. Audi said it is interested in how the Apollo performs, and is happy to honour the alliance so long as the Apollo doesn't rival any of its own models. The upcoming 2007 Audi R8 anyone?